7 replies to this topic

[frodmyster]

My solenoid is clicking when i turn my key. The battery is new and is fully charged. Ive ordered a new solenoid as the old one looks damp and cruddy. Ive read on here that i can earth the solenoid to the inner wing with a cable. Has anyone done this? If so could someone post a pic please so i know how to earth it :) thanks, neil

[Dan]

It earths through its body, no need for a cable really. It doesn't draw a lot of current itself, maybe continuity test it if you're worried but if it's clicking it's working. More likely your problem is at the battery earth. If the solenoid clicks it's closed but if the battery or engine earth is bad the starter won't be able to pull enough current to turn.

[midridge2]

My money is on it being a stuck starter motor.

[KernowCooper]

test the voltage with the solenoid in the start position, none is a faulty solenoid and follow the voltage to the starter, rock the car in gear to see if the starter bendix is stuck

[Rog46]

Could be a bad earth on the engine. If it is the choke cable usually gets hot!

[ChopperHarris]

temporarily earth the solenoid with a jump lead and try.
Nothing? Short out the two main connections (out of gear!) does it turn the engine?
Use jump lead from battery direct to starter...if engine turns all points to solenoid fault....tenner from Minispares

[Ethel]

Assuming you mean the solenoid continuously clicks if you hold the key in the start position?

 

That's symptomatic of the voltage taking a nose dive as soon as massive load of the starter is connected. All of the above are possibilities so it's a process of elimination...

 

Bridging the solenoid screw posts (out of gear) eliminates it from the circuit.

Jump leads and a known good battery can be used to home in on faults in the battery & earth cabling.

A big current and localised resistance in the circuit makes  heat.

Stalled motors  flow lots of current causing even more voltage drop.

[frodmyster]

Turns out the starter is goosed. Tested off the car with a fully charged batter and nothing. All cruddy inside the starter and the copper coils are burnt beyond repair.new starter and solenoid ordered :):) thanks peeps