MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Engine wont start

Just taken delivery of my MGB from my dad this weekend and when I came to start it for the time the engine won't turn over at all. When I turn the key all that happens is a clicking noise in the engine.

I know the ignition coil had been a bit dodgy so I have put in a new Lucas coil and checked all the wiring to that. But still no joy

Battery is fine and is brand new.

Was hoping someone might have some ideas as to what might be the problem?

Look forward ti hearing from you

Rick

R J Walker

Rick,

sounds like the starter solenoid does not work.

Depending upon the model of starter used in this car, there are different spares available. But before taking anything apart do some checks: Are the terminals of the battery O.K. and are they tightened to the poles? are the terminals of the starter solenoid O.K. and is there a propper connection? What are the readings of voltage when you test it with a multimeter at the starter solenoid?

If everything seems to be fine at this point, the solenoid might be faulty. It can be bought separately or you can dismatle it after soldering off ite weldet conetions of it's inside coil and take it apart. In many cases the inside points of the big connetion bolts for the big brown and black wires become burned and have to be cleand.
Reassambly is just the reverse of taking it apart.
I had this several times within the years and it takes less than one hour to 'overhault' the starter motor this way.

Hope this helps

Ralph



Ralph

Thanks Ralph for your comments

I am really new to all this and forgive my ignorance as I am still learning my way around engines and keen to learn but if I was to buy a new solenoid is it just a case of bolting this on and wiring up??

Looking at my Haines manual (which I have been relying on so far) there is no mention of the solenoid so I am a little unsure of this.

Thanks

Rick
R J Walker

Always give the year of the car, it makes life much easier for those who respond.

If it chatters or just clicks while you have the key turned the chances are that the battery is flat or there are bad connections between the battery and starter. If the ignition warning light flickers or dims right down that is probably the case. However if it is a 67 or earlier car with the solenoid on the inner wing it could also be the starter jammed with the flywheel, in which case put the car in 4th gear, handbrake and ignition off, and rock the car back and fore to turn the engine and release the starter.

If you get a single click and the lights *don't* dim down then power is not being applied to the starter, and what you do next depends on the year of the car.

For early cars with the solenoid on the inner wing it should be that you can hear clicking, in which case it is either the solenoid contacts not closing, a faulty starter motor brushes or windings, or bad connections between the solenoid and the motor. A voltmeter or test-lamp will tell you which.

Cars from late 67 on with the solenoid mounted on the starter motor have a starter relay mounted by the fusebox. If it is *this* that is clicking and not the solenoid either the relay, connections to it, or the connection of the white/brown wire at the solenoid are faulty.

On these cars if it is the solenoid clicking, it is again either the contacts, motor or connections between them, but it isn't always possible to tell which as the interconnection can be internal. This type are very unlikely to jam with the flywheel.

Paul Hunt 2

The last paragraph should read "... it is again either the solenoid contacts ..."
Paul Hunt 2

Starter motor Bendix stuck in the flywheel? Happens to midgets from time to time.
Clive Reddin 76 Midget

Turns out it is an 80, so pre-engaged starter, which rarely if ever gets that problem.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 28/08/2007 and 30/08/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.