13 replies to this topic

[hermini]

Hi,sorry if this has been covered many times but I have a problem with 1989 Mayfair,everything standard. It has been parked in the garage for eight months and was running perfectly before but now won't turn over. I've fitted a new 075 battery as recommended on the site but there is no life at all at the starter.There is no click when turning the key and the headlights don't dim when the key is turned. All other electrics seem fine,it's just strange it was starting ok before being parked up.As I said sorry if this has been covered but any ideas would be much appreciated.Cheers.

[DeadSquare]

Make sure that the big cables to the solenoid are 1) clean, and 2) tight.

 

Next, make sure that the small energising wire from the ignition, is clean where it clips on to the solenoid.

[hermini]

The starter has a cylinder on top of the actual motor so is this the solenoid  as  I have seen numerous pics of solenoids completely separate from the starter. Could this part have seized ?. Many thanks for your input. 

[DeadSquare]

The solenoid ( or switch) that is separate from the starter, appertains to an "inertia system".  Just as a nut movers along a rotated screw, as the starter begins to turn, it throws the pinion into engagement with the starter ring.

 

The cylinder on top of your starter contains a solenoid that is not only a contact switch, but also physically engages the pinion with the starter ring.

 

It might well be worth taking out the grill to make it easy to get at the two bolts that hold the starter in place, and having photographed where the various wires go, remove the starter and check that all part move freely.

[hermini]

Thanks for taking the time to answer I will have a look and see.Cheers.

[Deathrow]

Have you checked your starter relay?

I'd get the multimeter out and check you're getting the voltages you expect at various points before pulling it to bits.

[hermini]

Thank you.Where is the starter relay please?Just seems strange it was fine before the lay up.

[DeadSquare]

The starter relay is integral in the solenoid.

 

Try giving it a sharp tap or two to see if it "wakes it up"

[hermini]

I will try that today,many thanks,it is appreciated.

[Deathrow]

The starter relay is mounted on the driver side inner wing to bulkhead cross member support. It's not inside the solenoid, at least not on a late 80's car.

This isn't the perfect picture but:

 

 

You can see the starter relay on the inner wing to bulkhead crossmember support, in the picture it's a grey cube.

Check the relay is present and the contacts aren't corroded. It should receive 12v on the white/red wire when the ignition is in the START position.

Edit: Found a better picture:

 

Ignore the highlighted brake pipes, you can see the relay on the left.

[DeadSquare]

I will try that today,many thanks,it is appreciated.

 

My error, Deathrow is correct.  Do what he tells you with the relay.

 

The solenoid on the starter is the bit that might be worth a tap.

[hermini]

Thanks to all,I tried giving the solenoid a tap but no luck. Deathrow,I missed your post about the relay as the car belongs to my daughter and she lives 40 miles away so a round trip of 80 miles every time.I  will try the relay as soon as I can and hopefully get some luck with that.Would it be a five pin relay so I can take one with me when I go to check it out as they seem cheap so just as well have one available.Thanks all for your time. 

[Deathrow]

It should be a standard 5-pin relay yes, here is the one Mini Spares sell: https://www.minispar...|Back to search

Your best too in this situation is a multi-meter, with one you'll be able to trace the voltage through the loom and work out which component is having an issue.

Select the 20v scale on your meter, identify a good ground (I've been using the metal hex on the spark plugs as it's easy to get to) and place your black probe against it, check the following locations with the red probe:

1. Ignition OFF. Starter solenoid post which has brown wires and the large battery cable coming to it (should read 12v). If not, you might have a bad earth to the engine.
2. Ignition ON. White/red wire at starter relay (should read 0v). The white/red should be energised when you turn the key to start the engine only.
3. Ignition START. White/red at starter relay (should read 12v). 
4. Ignition START. Brown/red at starter relay (should read 12v).

Hopefully that will help you diagnose what's at fault and where to look.

[hermini]

Thanks for the brilliant explanation, I will get a relay before my next trip and let you know how it goes.Many thanks.