‘Click nothing’ and associated starter motor problems !

[marshman]

Tony
I had the what sounds like the same problem last year. The solenoid contacts in my starter motor had a high resistance causing a volt drop across them. You can take the solenoid apart and clean the contacts if you want or buy a new solenoid.
I bought a new starter motor as the cost wasn't much more than just a solenoid, fitted it and like yours it would spin but not engage. Took it off and noticed the profile of the pinion on the new one was different to the old one, I couldn't see any other differences. I ended up fitting the new solenoid to the old starter and all has been good since, could have swapped the pinions over but changing the solenoid was quicker at the time.
Hope this helps.
Andy

I wonder if there is another faulty batch of components out there in the wild!

[andyt]

Don't know, I was told by the supplier that there is only one type of starter motor for a stag so could be.

[Tony Triumph]

Andy
Thanks for your input. It had never occured to me that it could be the right starter motor, but with the wrong contour pinion fitted. Am wondering if both pinions were for a Stag ... or even a Triumph for that matter! As I mentioned in a previous thread before, it seems the possibilities that can cause 'click nothing' syndrome seem mind boggling!
Roger, finding it all hard to believe really, but you say it is possible for the pinion to hit the teeth on the flywheel but not engage - hence a wrong profile pinion I suppose! I'll take the replacement starter out again tomorrow and report back on any findings. Thks everyone!

[Tony Triumph]

Update
Hi All,
Replacement starter taken off. Pinions have same profile, starter motor is a 25648 type, having H 50 71 following the number type, not sure if that is a date reference. Retesting on the bench is showing the the solenoid is not kicking the pinion forward. Now realise the solenoid 'click' is very half hearted, even though I'm sure it was working reasonably during the first test session before fitting. Am becoming confident refitting the original starter will work now, which has to mean my own original jump wire testing on the car was inadequate, as I think the problem was in the main power feed cable, not the earth.
I'm not doing any more 'jumping to conclusions' so am taking my original starter motor to a local Lucas repair shop I know for servicing and thorough testing, before refitting again.

[Bandit1200]

Try a substitute battery or jump leads to a good battery.
The current required to engage the starter pinion is much less than that to turn the engine.
Steve