Starter motor click nothing then just plain old nothing

[NickA]

I know this topic has been debated to death a few times but I thought I would share my thoughts particularity my experience from this weekend.

I've had the click nothing for ages; seems to be worse if the car is trying to starting from cold. (see [1]) I've replace the ignition switch & associated loom with a genuine NOS one and it made bugger all difference. This weekend I fitted a relay (bought from fleaBay) to the starter and if anything it made it worse so I disconnected it.

Started the car on Saturday morning after a few click click clicks and off I went. It started twice more then was completely dead. Ignition lights all came on as normal but not a dicky from the starter when trying to start. After a bit of head scratching I decided to try and buy pass the wiring completing so ran a jump lead from the +ve terminal on the battery and touched it on the starter solenoid connection (the bigger of the two terminals). It started instantly. So a quick trip to a car parts shop, a length of cable and a connector later I can start the Stag first time every time by touching the wire on the battery once the ignition is turned on

So it's got to be a wiring issue? I read about the multi connector for the gearbox loom that's got the feed to the solenoid looped if it's a manual so I'm temped to made a new feed from that point to the starter. Maybe replace the whole multi plug if you can still buy them.

[1] On a separate but related issue if I have the smaller of the solenoid terminals connected the starter motor never stops running once it's been fired up (it makes no difference to the click click click) so I've left it disconnected. I did replace the solenoid a number of years ago in an attempt to fix this problem (it was 2nd hand) but I'm wondering if I have a duff one or just a wrong one)

Might be worth sourcing a new solenoid at the same time. Anyone have any experiences with the solenoids currently on offer from the usual suppliers? I'm so nervous of fitting aftermarket parts or do I just buy a recon starter motor from LDParts?.

Thoughts/suggestions/comments gratefully accepted

[dasadrew]

Have you checked the technical section for an article how to clean the internal contacts?

Drew

[trunt]

[1] On a separate but related issue if I have the smaller of the solenoid connectors connected the starter motor never stops running once it's been fired up (it makes no difference to the click click click) so I've left it disconnected. I did replace the solenoid a number of years ago in an attempt to fix this problem (it was 2nd hand) but I'm wondering if I have a duff one or just a wrong one)

Do you have electronic ignition? or a permanent 12v supply to the coil? If so then that 12v could be feeding back to keep the solenoid actuated.

Terry

[NickA]

Have you checked the technical section for an article how to clean the internal contacts?

Drew

I have but I don't think its solenoid related as my wiring bodge solve the starting problem; It's just a bit inconvenient having to open the bonnet every time I want to start the engine and double inconvenient if I stall it in traffic

[NickA]

Do you have electronic ignition? or a permanent 12v supply to the coil? If so then that 12v could be feeding back to keep the solenoid actuated.

Terry

I have the currently unfashionable factory standard twin points ignition setup :-) . Not quite sure what this extra wire does; something to do with cold starting? It's feed directly off the coil IIRC. Coil wiring should be standard as well but I'll check

[Ian928]

I have experienced both the things you are seeing!

I first fitted a relay, then the relay stopped working. I measured the voltage from the ignition switch and it was fluctuating, but very low. I cleaned all contacts from the ignition swithch to the starter, and that fixed it (- for a while, it turned out the brushes on the starter was also worn out)

Also, the small connector on the solenoid gave 12V to the starter, when I fitted it the starter kept running. There is a relay that cuts out the heated rear window when you run the starter, that was damaged and someone had done some creative stuff there to keep electric supply to other places on the car. The result was that there was a constant 12V going to this wire. Luckily my car was in neutral when I fitted the battery wire after "repairing" the wire.

[trunt]

I have the currently unfashionable factory standard twin points ignition setup :-) . Not quite sure what this extra wire does; something to do with cold starting? It's feed directly off the coil IIRC. Coil wiring should be standard as well but I'll check

Thinking again, I was probably incorrect.. it was something else I was thinking of. (connecting the two together) forget that!

While you are cranking that wire goes live and supplies a full 12v to the coil.

[JeffW]

I had the same issue when I first got my car in 2017. I replaced the solenoid with a new one from the Brothers and it has never done it since.

Jeff

[NickA]

Interesting thoughts.. I've been offered a NOS 519535 which should fit but there's also a 520473 solenoid. Anyone know the difference between the two?

[NickA]

Think I may have sorted this. Cleaned the multi way connector in front of the gearbox and it starts first turn of the key no problems and no clicking. I may still re-wire it but at least for now it's working

[new to this]

Have you checked the spade connections to the starter solenoid i had it where they were lose

[NickA]

Have you checked the spade connections to the starter solenoid i had it where they were lose

yep; cleaned and squeeze so it's a snug fit