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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - starting won't stop

I'm not into electrics so I'm puzzled at this problem.
My midget doesn't stop starting! When the electrical system is live, the car starts. The startermotor just goes on and on. What can it be, a 'leaking' wire, faulty solenoid?
The problem 'started' when I took the car out of its hibernation. Initially things went the normal way (takes some time to start the car after a prolonged time of inactiveness), but then it went wrong. Even when I took the key out of the barrel, disconnected all the wires to it (I initially suspected the ignition barrel, as it became a bit dodgy last year)it went on and on. When I reconnect the battery, even after a few days, immediately the startermotor starts turning.

Rolf
Rolf

Only 2 things can cause this to occur.

Either the ignition switch is stuck in the start mode. (unlikely)

Or

The starter solenoid is stuck in.

Not sure of which solenoid your car has but it will have a small wire going to it from the ignition switch. If you remove this wire and it still starts then it is the solenoid stuck. If this stops the problem then i is more than likely the ignition switch

Hoping 1500s have a remote solenoid, sure they do!
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

if it isnt the switch (yours sounds as if it isnt the switch) it must be a faulty solenoid

unless someone has connected the heavy battery to solenoid wires to the same side of the solenoid as the heavy wire to the starter motor

(which would have the same effect)

HTH
Bill sdgpm

Thanks for the diagnosing tips. Removed the small wire, car keeps starting. So it must be the solenoid.

Rolf
Rolf

Later 1500 Midgets have two 'small' wires connected to the solenoid...a white/red, which is the one that energises the solenoid and a white/green which by-passes the ballast wire and supplies 12v directly to the coil.

The white/red is the one to disconnect.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Dave, I did, with the wiring diagram in hand.:)
Rolf

Rolf,

You might want to give either the starter or solenoid (or both) a bit of a wrap with a hammer. Nothing too severe, but sharp and jarring.

Given that the car was in hibernation, the hammer may result in a permanent fix.

Charley
C R Huff

This thread was discussed between 14/03/2009 and 16/03/2009

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