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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - not starting

My midget wouldn't start this morning.
I can hear the relay click but it won't turn the motor over.

battery is brand new has got +12v and even another running car won't help.
i've hit thestart motor several times with a hammer no bodge

but when i was mesuring with my voltage meter i noticed that there is only 8v comming throug the relay where there is 12.6v comming in .....

could this be the problem?

could i use one of the jump leads to put 12v on the starter for a second and see if it turns?

it's a 67 1275 a-series midget
o Könemann

Try turning the square boss on the end of the starter. You may have a bad segment on the starter motor. Turning it will move to a good one.

Steve
Steve Church

Voltage does not quite work like that however not to worry.
The best way to test the starter solenoid is to simply short out the 2 large connections with a big screwdriver. It will spark but if the starter motor then turns you have a faulty starter solenoid.

In this case however I think with the voltage drop you have measured it sounds like the starter motor has become jammed/stuck. As described above turn the quadrant on the end of the motor to release it. Perhaps a new starter motor or at least a dog will possibly be needed.
Bob (robert) Midget Turbo

And i turned it 1/4 turn and it ran fine!
thanks for the tips.
Now i just have to convert my spare mini startmotor to midget spec (backplate switch and difrent teeth iic)
o Könemann

I got exactly the same problem this morning when in a rush to leave for riding. Seems to happen once every 3 months on any starter I ever have.

Too late for my riding lesson now... but I know what I'll be fixing today!
Rich Amos (1330cc Blaze Red '72)

This thread was discussed between 10/05/2008 and 11/05/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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