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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Starter problem

Hi guys, Could someone help me with the following problem.

The other half went to start her car this morning and from what I gather from her interpretation the starter just span without engaging and contuined when she turned the ignition off so she disconnected the battery and left it.

Tonight I’ve just had a quick play about and its engaging and stays engaged. It's also doing this without the ignition on (since I’ve been trying) So with the battery disconnected, as soon as you touch the terminal it attempts to start and the starter stays engaged.

I'm presuming it must be the starter solenoid, giving a permanent 12v to the starter?

Am I on the right lines?

It did this to her a while back, but it sorted itself when the battery was reconnected.

Thanks
D Tetley

I forgot to say, she started it this morning and then it stopped (cold morning!) and this problem happened when trying to restart it....
D Tetley

Yes sound exactly like the starter solenoid as you described. A get you home solution would be to start the car then diconnect the big lead going from the solenoid to the starter. This way the car would remain running yet the starter would stop and disengage.

Which year car is it?
Bob (Robert) Midget Turbo

Thanks Bob, Thats exactly what I did in holland(!) in my last 1275 midget.

Her's is a 1500 midget, I'll go to moss first thing tomorrow then.

Also is the 1500 starter motor the same as the A-series? I've had a look on ebay and people seem to say they're they fit either, but i didnt think they were the same?
D Tetley

The same I believe; as luck would have it I've just taken a 1500 one out of a box and it looks identical to the 1275 one.
David Smith

Definetly the solenoid. Try and find a NOS one as the repro ones available at the moment are rubbish.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Just a thought.

Are you sure the white/red wire to the solenoid isn't touching the main feed from the battery? If they had worn through then you'd have a permanent starter. Also, some solenoids have a rubberised 'pip' on the face furthest away from the metal bracket end (if you see what I mean) and you can either push the pip to manually engage the starter or tweak it to disengage the solenoid. Just wondered if maybe the pip was being accidentally held in by something leaning on it?
rob multi-sheds thomas

If any one has a manual red button solenoid spare, i'm looking for one.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Thanks for the reply's

I got a replacement from moss (pattern but it was the only one they had in stock) and the other half needs her car for work on Monday.

All is running fine now, I'll try and source a NOS part for when the engines rebuilt (when the weathers abit warmer).

D Tetley

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2008 and 23/11/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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