49 replies to this topic

[paulrockliffe]

dodgy sloenoid i think

What's the solenoid? Part of the starter motor or something else?? What does it do, how do I fix it etc etc etc?! Cheers.

[miniboo]

what age is your cafr?

you may have a solenoid on the inner wing or if you have the inertia type it will be on top of the motor. test it by trying to start the car and shorting the solenoid with a screwdriver. car starts=dodgy solenoid

[paulrockliffe]

what age is your cafr?

you may have a solenoid on the inner wing or if you have the inertia type it will be on top of the motor. test it by trying to start the car and shorting the solenoid with a screwdriver. car starts=dodgy solenoid

Thanks, It's a '93 carb. What's the solenoid for?

[miniboo]

93 carb probably means it is inertia tyoe and on top of the starter motor.

the solehoid crates a magnetic field which in turn engages the starter motor onto the flywheel. (something like that anyway)

[miniboo]

oops i got it wrong you have a pre engaged starter not inertia

[miniboo]

like this?

http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=33328

[paulrockliffe]

like this?

http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=33328

Yeah, thats the one. I've just been reading the Haynes manual so I know what the solenoid is now. If it's pre-engaged the solenoid is part of the starterright? So does that mean I need a new starter, or could something else be wrong?

[Big_Adam]

Get it from a local motor shoppe tho.

Cost a little less then. My starter was about £30 online and £30 from a shop. Shop won beacuse I didn't need to pay P&P so cheaper!

[miniboo]

ebay is a good look as well. local motor factors should be able to do you an exchange one. i think there is a way of reconditioning the one you have but not surre how

[miniboo]

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...1QQcmdZViewItem

[paulrockliffe]

Good stuff, thanks!

How do you know it's the solenoid and not that the motor is jammed?

[miniboo]

whack the motor with a hammer a few times and see if that works. it probably will but wont last much longer

Edited by miniboo, 17 December 2006 - 05:55 PM.

[Big_Adam]

pull it off, take it apart test each bit. put back together replacing the old worn parts.

[paulrockliffe]

pull it off, take it apart test each bit. put back together replacing the old worn parts.

Job for tomorrow then, cheers guys.

[Dan]

Every time I have ever found a Mini to just click when the key is turned it was due to a dodgy battery earth strap. And I mean every time. I did once have one with the starter jammed in the flywheel gear but it sounds and feels different, if the motor is jammed in the ring gear then you will notice as the motor will still try to turn but it won't be able to. There will be a whining / growling noise from it and probably a lot of smoke and you will feel the car jolt as the power hits the motor. If you are fitting an engine earth then an inner wing is not the ideal panel to use, the bulkhead crossmember is much thicker metal. Remember that this connection has to run 300 amps when the starter fires up and so thicker metal is best. It also tends to be less corroded. Also if the engine earth is failing you will see symptoms such as melting throttle and heater cables while the starter tries to earth itself through them. Check your battery earth. See how many strands of the braid are broken and fraying. See how tight the bolts are and remember that the underside of the body connection can rust up as it's only a captive nutplate (especially in winter when there's salt on the roads) so loosen it off and wiggle it about to shake out some of the rust. Use a little electro lube or WD on it to drive out the rust before re-tightening it. If the braid is frayed it can carry less current obviously. Coat the battery cable terminals with some Vaseline when it's all tight.