12 replies to this topic

[1380DominoHT]

Hi folks im having some real problems getting my newly transplanted engine to run properly if at all.... My main problem is this annoying starter motor spinning and not engaging the flywheel!

I'm sure this has to be electrical, my ignition system was a ballast resistor system but im now changing it to use a non ballast coil . The reason for this is that im using a mg metro engine which has a electronic distributor and doesn't work with a ballast system properly, so im told.

I'm also now using an inertia starter as the last engine was a pre-engaged so now i have had to wire a solenoid in, the main problem is that now the solenoid is wired up im having problems getting it to work with the starter motor properly. If i attach the yellow and white wire it spins off not making contact with the flywheel, if i take that wire off the starter works perfectly but i don't get a spark at the plugs lol! its like the yellow and white wire is giving it too much juice, the starter also keeps heating up which im sure is not right.

HELP!

[Jordie]

Pics of how you wired the solenoid and starter would help.

I believe interia and the solenoid is wired something like this.

All live feeds etc on the right hand top terminal.
Single heavy duty wire from left hand top terminal to starter motor
Ign key switch feed to the little tab on the solenoid facing bulkhead.

*this is assuming you have mounted it on the inner wing, with the bracket on the left.

[998dave]

is the splined shaft on the starter oiled / greased? remove starter, lay down away from anything, connect an earth to the body, and tap a live against the feed. Does it spin and mvoe down the shaft, if not it may need some grease to allow the tooth wheel bit to move down the splines, (using inertia), and engage the flywheel, and start the car.

I don't think it can be electrical if it is spinning as it can only spin one way.

Dave

[1380DominoHT]

Pics of how you wired the solenoid and starter would help.

I believe interia and the solenoid is wired something like this.

All live feeds etc on the right hand top terminal.
Single heavy duty wire from left hand top terminal to starter motor
Ign key switch feed to the little tab on the solenoid facing bulkhead.

*this is assuming you have mounted it on the inner wing, with the bracket on the left.

here is a wee cad drawing i did of my wiring to the solenoid, hope this helps

Attached Files

•  solinoid_wiring_2.bmp   1.38MB   35 downloads

[1380DominoHT]

is the splined shaft on the starter oiled / greased? remove starter, lay down away from anything, connect an earth to the body, and tap a live against the feed. Does it spin and mvoe down the shaft, if not it may need some grease to allow the tooth wheel bit to move down the splines, (using inertia), and engage the flywheel, and start the car.

I don't think it can be electrical if it is spinning as it can only spin one way.

Dave

yea its greased and moved up and down the shaft as easy as you like, em that doesn't sound right but im talking about the starter!
I can understand why it keeps spinning off when the other cable is connected to the solenoid. it works perfect if its not connected, but doesn't spark at the leads..... Crumpets!!!

[GraemeC]

Where's the brown with red going to? Shouldn't be needed for an inertia system.

Sounds to me like the white/yellow is drawing to much power - maybe short circuiting somewhere? Is the other end connected to the +ve of the coil?

[GraemeC]

Also do you have the solenoid bolted to the inner wing with a very good connection to earth?

[1380DominoHT]

Also do you have the solenoid bolted to the inner wing with a very good connection to earth?

I haven't bolted it on at the moment, it has a thick battery cable earthing it to the body just now. as im needing to extend some wires.

[1380DominoHT]

Also do you have the solenoid bolted to the inner wing with a very good connection to earth?

I haven't bolted it on at the moment, it has a thick battery cable earthing it to the body just now. as im needing to extend some wires.

just gave it another try but its still heating up the starter and not catching right!

[GraemeC]

And the answers to my first post?

[1380DominoHT]

Where's the brown with red going to? Shouldn't be needed for an inertia system.

Sounds to me like the white/yellow is drawing to much power - maybe short circuiting somewhere? Is the other end connected to the +ve of the coil?

sorry didnt see that post lol!

I thought that that red and brown wasnt needed for this type of system, it goes to the same terminal that all the normal brown ones go. Iv no idea where it goes to in the wiring loom, ill need to investigate. im sure i read that somewhere but i wasnt sure....
yellow and white is connected to the negative terminal.

Thanks for posting

ill disconect that and reconect the yellow and white and see how it goes

[pantera2075]

A few points here - as i've just had the same problem - albeit backwards:

Don't grease the end of the starter - it attracts gunk and makes them seize up eventually. Degrease it, and use a powder lubricant (I use athlete's foot powder as it's full of zinc, but you could crush up the lead from a pencil.

Make sure you have the correct ring gear on your flywheel for the starter you are using - they are not back-compatable. I had the problem of having an early mini flywheel with replacement verto ring gear - it caused a couple of weeks of head scratching.

It seems the colour codes on the wiring has changed since I last looked, but here's what i'd do:

Turn on ign. Connect a wire direct between battery +ve and +ve terminal on coil. It should spark a little when connecting.

Bridge the 2 threaded terminals on the solenoid with a screwdriver.

It should start assuming no other problems.

As i'm assuming it's a Domino, check all of your earths!

[1380DominoHT]

A few points here - as i've just had the same problem - albeit backwards:

Don't grease the end of the starter - it attracts gunk and makes them seize up eventually. Degrease it, and use a powder lubricant (I use athlete's foot powder as it's full of zinc, but you could crush up the lead from a pencil.

Make sure you have the correct ring gear on your flywheel for the starter you are using - they are not back-compatable. I had the problem of having an early mini flywheel with replacement verto ring gear - it caused a couple of weeks of head scratching.

It seems the colour codes on the wiring has changed since I last looked, but here's what i'd do:

Turn on ign. Connect a wire direct between battery +ve and +ve terminal on coil. It should spark a little when connecting.

Bridge the 2 threaded terminals on the solenoid with a screwdriver.

It should start assuming no other problems.

As i'm assuming it's a Domino, check all of your earths!

Na its my mini 30 thats given me a headake, i have wired everything as its supposed to be done now and im still getting nowhere! The damn thing is now backfiring like hell lol, iv seen flames but god damn.