Morris Minor Owners Club

more than likely, i do have a spare, just in case, plus a large screw driver for when it gives up again

Some later model solenoids have an extra terminal for the ballast-resist coils. Might be worth a photo or two before changing the old one over. Ballast coil versions might have an extra pink or green-with-white wire on them but you can still use them, just leave the last terminal unwired and with something protecting the terminal (old terminal from scrapyard donor?).

Hello Chris,

the solenoid is just a big electrically powered switch, and the internal contacts burn and wear, eventually, to a point where they can become intermittent and finally stop completely. Even on a small car the switch is making and breaking a current of maybe 100 to 150 amps?

Alec

I think it might just be knackered, it is just a modern cheap copy of a lucas one. Ill buy a new one and fit that, the other one i have is older than the car, but it has the little red push button

the big red button on the front does work, though i nearly killed myself yesterday by starting the car, whilst in gear and the slipping on the ice in front of the car, thankfully the engine died before it managed to totally run me over.

as for the wee button on the solenoid, thats gone, its a new pattern version i put in a few years ago. i am just literally wrapping up warm to go have a fettle and see whats wrong with it.

I'm confused - riethr the solenoid has a button or it doesn't!

is the ring gear worn

the original solenoids had a little red button on the top, so you could start the engine whilst you had your head in the engine bay, or with your hand in the fan.

as for the ring gear, its quite good. i came to the conclusion that it is the solenoid, i turned the key and nothing, turned it several other times then it started, but the starter kept on going, i had to disconnect the battery to stop it.
so i am going to get new one, but i was thinking of going for a variety like this onehttp://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct. ... Code=S7051

it has the button, which is very useful. would it be suitable?

cadetchris wrote:would it be suitable?

i believe so. i've seen similar things on minors before.

your issue with the starter carrying on definately sounds like the solenoid to me!

Hello Chris,

from the picture it will need a modification to fit as the mounting holes look closer together than the original, you'll be in good company though as that is the type fitted to a MK 2 Jaguar amongst others.

Alec

though i nearly killed myself yesterday by starting the car, whilst in gear and the slipping on the ice in front of the car

The moral is simple: Check that the car is in neutral with the handbrake on before attempting to start the engine, just as you would if you were sitting in the driver's seat.

The solenoid must have a good earth path to work -so check/clean the area where it bolts down.