starter fault ?

[mrb]

have read an earlier posted fault :

l have a1968 1000 went to take it for mot yesterday - but had to use for the first time my starting handle luckily passed with flying colours and no advisories - but garage said it was not a flat battery - because by pressing the red button on the solenoid she started - it was the ignition switch - purchased one today and fitted new one but same fault - will start on the red button but not the key ! tried it dozens of times and it worked twice - so took a wire from the ignition switch to the small terminal on the solenoid and hey presto first time - but not another so have given up till tomorrow have an appointment tonight - but would really appreciate some help "please" have read one about a wire from battery to small terminal on solenoid - am positive earth so presume its the one to use ?

Thanks

ps have checked starter lead for tightness

[amgrave]

Is the solenoid tight to the bulk head, I think it gets it's earth from there. When you press the button you are pushing it against the bulk head so earthing. Might be worth checking.

[simmitc]

Sounds like a solenoid fault. If you are taking a wire from the non-earther battery terminal to the small terminal with the whit and red wire on the solenoid, then the solenoid will work if it's OK. Intermittent or no response = faulty solenoid. When you push the red button then you are not using the solenoid per sae, just manually closing the switch contacts.

[moggalot]

I had a similar problem recently, after changing the solenoid it turned out to be a loose battery earth terminal. Also, a friend had an apparently random 'flat battery' causing intermittent starting issues which turned out to be timing too far advanced.

[mrb]

Thanks ! checked terminals etc - but strange thing is that l thought l had a flat battery - garage said no because by pressing the red button on solenoid it started - last night l put battery on charge - been out this morning after 16hr charge - tried it ten times and started every time could it be possible that the battery was flat ? but if so why would it start on the solenoid button ? now puzzled - may need to go back to garage ? Thanks

[simmitc]

If the battery was flat then it would not be able to turn the engine and start it when you pressed the manual button. A nearly flat battery will usually operate the solenoid (you hear a click) and then the starter motor sighs and gives up as it can't get enough power. It might manage half a turn. Yours managed to start the car! It is possible that a loose terminal was taking power and the act of using clips moved the terminals a little, but I'm not convinced. Is the car used regularly, and doe sit charge OK - do the headlights get brighter when you rev up, do the lights work OK for a few minutes without the engine running?

[bmcecosse]

As above - after you started it and drove it to the MOT there was probably just enough charge to restart it. At least you know how to start it on the handle now !

[mrb]

Thanks for replies !

When l used the handle - l just assumed it was a flat battery ? but do use the car quite regular and no dimming of lights - whilst the solenoid worked by depressing the red button - the ignition seemed dead - hence the presumption it was ignition switch (but the ignition light never dimmed )- so after fitting that - NO CHANGE - but still started on the button - yet every time after a trickle charge overnight - went to auto electricians today and he said that the contacts can fail under ignition switch operation and not under manual operation - so have renewed solenoid - tried it on and off all day so far so good

Thanks for assistance BMC - and yes a chance at last at my age to find out that the starting handle wasn't just for night clubbing in the sixties

Dave