Duff solenoids

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

My blue minor has once again made that fimilar click noise when you turn the key and no starting. Its gone through 3 second hand solenoids in the last 2 or 3 months.

Am I just being unlucky with the second hand parts I have lying about or is there something causing this to happen? Any ideas?

Anyway Im going to order a brand new one today so hopefully that will sort it.

[charlie_morris_minor]

when it goes click do you still have electricity every where else?

my thinking is that it might be a bad earth which you move every time you change the solenoid and makes good for a few weeks. just a thought and sorry if you have already looked into this possibility.

[bmcecosse]

I agree - solenoiuds are deadly reliable in my experience. It will be something else!

[MarkyB]

After three I'd be looking elsewhere, ignition switch or the wire from it to the solenoid?

[lambrettalad]

never had one go ever,so to have three on after the other ,never

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

I took the solenoid off this morning and gave the bit behind it on the bulkhead a really good clean down to bright metal as this is where it earths, also gave the lugar contacts a good cleaning. Still making the click noise and not turning over. Other electrics all working, and will start on the handle. I took my last spare solenoid and cleaned it up too, again no life in it either so I came in and ordered my new one from ESM, I didnt realise they are so cheap £9.50 plus vat and post! Hope this sorts it.

[autolycus]

What measurements have you taken to conclude it's the solenoid at fault?

A few simple voltmeter readings would locate the fault, and might have saved you the cost of the (cheap) solenoid, expensive postage, and VAT on them both.

Incidentally, Leacy http://www.leacyclassics.com/ often have good prices for stuff that's common to MGs, and have free postage for orders over £5. I also like their policy of displaying VAT-inclusive prices. I used them last week for a small order, and it arrived the next day.

Kevin

[lambrettalad]

Kevin ,that is a fantastic link for me ,being based in birmingham,never knew they were there ,thanks a million

[katy]

Do you have a good, clean earth connection between the battery and the engine block? and/or gearbox?

FWIW, in my lingo "earth" is pronounced "ground" and "gearbox" is pronounced "transmission".

[bmcecosse]

Sure it's not a starter problem.... I've never heard of such problems with solenoids....... The easy test is to short across the two large terminals with a large screwdriver...

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Have used 1930s solenoids which have lain dormant for many years, no problems. Admittedly they were not car starter solenoids, but the principles are the same.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Well, new solenoid arrived today about 10.30, ESM post is super quick and efficent.

Well it didnt sort the problem. Same click as before.

Stevey was over as well and had a look and said that starter looked a bit oily. Removed the starter lead, cleaned all round it and it started first turn of the key. I tried a couple of the other solenoid on again and of course they are fine. New one is back in its box as it doesnt come with the red button to start the car from under the bonnet which can be useful sometimes.

Glad its sorted, must keep the engine bay cleaner.........

[bmcecosse]

Oh well - at least you have a few spares now.....

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Back to this problem again today......

I started the minor and moved it out of the garage to give it a wash, it hadnt been used since my last post about this. Went to use it this morning and got that click again. Anyway pushed the blue one back through the garage and got the green one out. So the only thing I hadnt looked at was the starter. I have several spare starters so I got the jump leads and a battery and tested a few, I picked the one to try. Next removed the starter from the minor and tested it, it didnt turn. I fitted the other starter and it did as it should, started! Started and stopped it several times, took for a short run and it seems ok. Once again, hopefully sorted

[beero]

I used to have intermittent clicks from the solenoid on my MG and eventually sorted it by fitting an extra earth {"ground" for Katy} strap to the engine. (in case it fails again, let's hope not though)