2 replies to this topic

[MurphyShaw]

Hello everyone,

 

Today I went to start my 62 mini for the first time in 6 weeks or so. It started up fine after a few seconds of cranking. 

 

However, after I had it started I noticed the starter was still spinning. I swiftly turned the ignition off but the starter continued to crank. At this point I began to panic and I ripped out a wire from the starter button, thinking it was stuck on, the starter continued to turn over. So then i quickly disconnected the battery and it stopped.

 

I read a thread that said to put the car in gear and rock it back and forth to release the starter so i did this./

'

 

After trying a few different things and trying to start it again, the starter now sounds like it is not turning the engine over at all, and still gets stuck on when I press the starter button.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Edit; never had any problems with starter etc.

Edited by MurphyShaw, 20 January 2021 - 06:02 AM.

[absx2]

The solenoid may have electro welded itself into the cranking position or the started motor inertia mechanism has gummed up so it didn`t recoil when the engine started, if that has happened it may have cooked the solenoid anyway.

Disconnect the starter cable and connect a light bulb to the wire ( earthed of course )  and it if lights up with the ignition on the solenoid needs replacing. If it lights up only when you press the starter button its OK.

Next thing or probably first thing to do in you instance is pop the started motor out and check and clean the bendix mechanism.

It needs to flick back and forwards quickly and easily and check the spring at the end is not broken. 

Oh and give the battery a good charging. 

[weef]

The 1962 Mini has a basic starter motor crank circuit. A heavy lead comes from the battery negative terminal to the crank push button on the floor. Pressing the button completes the circuit connecting to the starter motor and the engine cranks over. Thats it nothing more required to crank the engine over.

You say you ripped the wire from the starter button do you mean the heavy feed wire ?.

Turning the ignition switch off should have stopped the engine whilst the wire from the starter button was off.

You need to do some checks

Start with the battery disconnected and inspect the integrity of the heavy wire from the battery to the start button, then from the start button to the starter motor, repairing any faults, then remove the heavy wire from the starter motor. With the ignition off connect a test lamp, which you know works, to this wire and earth the other side of the test lamp. Connect the battery and see if the test lamp is lit. If it is then there is a fault with the starter button, if not press the starter button and the test lamp should light every time you press it. If it does not light and the wire integrity is good then suspect a faulty push button. Once you have established the switching mode is correct its time to look at the starter motor. Remove the starter motor and check the Bendix gear operation This should be smooth and always return to the "parked" position every time it is operated. You can clean the gear and lubricate it very sparingly. Check the brush gear is clean and that the brushes have a good contact to the commutator. If you have the facility clamp the motor securely and connect a battery to it to check its operation. 

If you get a positive result from the above tests then reinstate everything to normal and the system should work as designed.