9 replies to this topic

[Haynes]

This has happened intermittently several times - turn the key, click from the solenoid but starter doesnt turn.

 

Volt meter shows voltage drops to 6 or 7V at the starter motor and terminal very warm when key turned to start.  Good 12.5V at starter side of the solenoid with the starter cable disconnected.

 

So whats happening?  At first I thought the starter gear must be jamming on the flywheel but if its not spinning then the bendix wont be thrown?  Can the starter motor  just jam up?

 

One time, i got a bump start then it was fine for weeks although I did replace the solenoid thinking that was the problem.  Couple of other times I removed starter, put it back on and again worked fine for weeks. 

[nicklouse]

They can just get old.

bearings/bushes can wear and lock up. Etc etc.

[Coalhod]

Mine did this too.  I found putting the car in gear and then moving it slightly to have the starter turn to a different spot helped and eventually had it rebuilt.  That cured the problem but then these aftermarket external solenoids would quit within 6 months to a year.  Found an old 1960 ish solenoid on Ebay and it works fine.

[Aridgerunner]

Have the battery checked. While you do have 12.5 volts you could be low on cranking amps. A cell can go bad and still show proper voltage.

Edited by Aridgerunner, 03 August 2026 - 03:49 PM.

[Spider]

The front bush wears and then the armature rubs up against the the field poles, it is said to be 'poling out' when this occurs. When there's enough wear, they will lock up.

[68+86auto]

How to test it is to measure the amps. very high amps will be a starter issue. Low amps will be a battery or connection issue.

[68+86auto]

Have the battery checked. While you do have 12.5 volts you could be low on cranking amps. A cell can go bad and still show proper voltage.

 

The connection being hot indicates that it isn't the battery. It will be ether a bad starter or poor connection where it is hot.

[Designer]

Hi,

 

Had this on my 1967 Morris Minor Traveller when I stopped at a service staion on the M1. called out the AA. He turned up about an hour later had a look under the bonnet turned the key just got the clicking.

Went to his van came back with a 4 foot lenght of scaffolding pole gave the starter motor a hard wack and I had no further issues with that problem for the rest of the time I had the car, another four years.

The worst thing was that I wasted a whole hour because I forgot that I had a starting handle in the back of the car under the load space.

 

Paddy

[Haynes]

Conclusion seems to be it is a bad starter motor.  Its not that old, about 4 years, although irregular use and quality of components these days doesn't mean its not faulty.

 

It needs quite a whack then, to free it up, not just a gently tap, I'll try that next time!

 

I'll have a go at stripping the starter down, see if theres anything obvious.  I am tempted to go for a high torque type starter, do away with the separate solenoid etc

[sonscar]

Next time it happens engage second and rock the car backwards.If the gear has stuck in mesh it can free it.Worst case scenario is that the ring gear has worn sectors.Steve..