5 replies to this topic

[topcat]

Hi, About a week ago when driving on the motorway in very wet conditions, the battery went flat (wipers slowed down etc...) so I pulled over onto the hard shoulder. As I slowed down I could hear an aweful noise which turned out to be the starter motor trying to engage whilst the engine was still running. Quickly disconnected the battery to stop it but as soon as I reconnected it, it started cranking again.

I couldnt find a short anywhere in the wiring so in the end I disconnected the solenoid to get home. Once dried out it was fine. I thought it might be the yellow starter relay getting wet so I tried getting it wet again but I couldn't get it to do it again. I even dunked it in water and it was fine. I've put a new one in for now just in case.

I would like to get to the bottom of it because it seems to have stripped some teeth because sometimes it sounds like it hasnt engaged when I try and start. Sounds like teeth mashing.

It is a 1991 cooper carb with a piggy back solenoid starter motor. This is pre engaged isnt it? What does that actually mean? Is it always engaged or just engage before it starts spinning or what. Is it possible my ring gear will need replacing or is it harder metal than the starter motor gear. Any ideas on what else caused it to happen? Thanks.

[Pavel]

Mine did the same thing once. Then i started trying to trace why it was doing it, and couldnt get anywhere and it just stopped. hasnt done it since. :\ Very dodgy.

[pikey7]

replicating problems due to water ingress can be very tricky to do. As you say, I'd guess either you had a problem with the relay getting wet or a possible problem on the solenoid.

Clean things up, stick the relay in a balloon or something, and keep your fingers crossed you don't get the problem again!

[minivanman]

i cant believe it - i've never heard of anything like this before, then mine did it, then charlie browns. wierd. mine was the relay for the starter motor, on the lower left hand side of the engine bay, bolted to the inner wing. it had got water in it and stuck open, leaving the starter going. hope that helps.

[topcat]

Yer thanks, Mine isnt on the inner wing because its the piggy back style solenoid. But thanks anyway. Good idea with the balloon over the relay, will do that. Hope it doesnt do it again! Keep expecting it to have bump started its self and gone through a neighbours house!

[flameredturbo]

Yer thanks, Mine isnt on the inner wing because its the piggy back style solenoid. But thanks anyway. Good idea with the balloon over the relay, will do that. Hope it doesnt do it again! Keep expecting it to have bump started its self and gone through a neighbours house!

Sure you know anyway, but dont leave it in gear and a battery cut off swicth would add security and solve the starting in the middle of the night risk!