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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - High Torque Starter

Hi all,

I have recently fitted a high-torque starter but now i've got a new problem. It turns the engine over beautifully but once started it screeches, almost as if its not disengaging - any suggestions as to what might be causing it?
Jamie Watt

I tried to use a hi-torque starter on my MGB, but it did not disengage, so I returned it. The same thing has happened to some of my MG friends here. No idea why it works on some cars and not on others.

Tore
Tore

Did yours make a horrible screeching noise just after start up as well? Im 99% sure its the starter motor thats making the noise but can't be sure. Its a newly built engine so im hoping its not something else...
Jamie Watt

Jamie, make and model of starter, model and year of your Spridget and how you've wired the new starter might help others (not me unfortunately) to answer
Nigel Atkins

It's one of the Moss high torque starter motors, not sure of the part number and its in a '76 midget.

I started the car for the first time in 3 years today and there was a horrible metallic screeching noise, i nearly had a heart attack!
Jamie Watt

clutch ?? - if it was just the once
Nigel Atkins

Jamie, if you still have the old standard one, stick it on. If the screech stops its the new motor! If not, you have a problem somewhere else....
M McAndrew

Thanks for the replies, guys. The old starter was knackered which is why i replaced it with the new hi-tec gizmo so can't put it back in to see if the screetching stops. To wire it up, i simply hooked up the main lead from the solenoid to the starter terminal. There was another spade connector on the new starter (there wasn't one on the old starter) so i looked at some instructions on tinterweb and saw that all i had to do was link the spade connector to the main terminal on the motor with a small wire.

The motor is really hot after a couple of minutes of running which is what made me think that it wasn't disconnecting.

I've actually just thought of something, i think i may now have two solenoids - the original one on the car and then the one piggy-backed onto the starter. Do i need to have this second one? Do i need that little jumper wire? So many questions!!

Thanks in advance!
Jamie Watt

Remove the starter from the car but have all the wires connected. Turn the ignition on and nothing should happen. Turn the ignition as if to start the car and the start motor gear should flick out and the starter motor should turn. Release the key, as if the engine were now running and the starter gear should flick back and the starter cease turning.

The big lead to the starter energises the starter and turns the motor. Usually the extra small wire on the starter is a slave from the main power lead to flick out the gear.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Jamie hope this is of use to you (?)

I have a (make) PowerLite fitted which can be fitted to include or exclude the 'bulkhead mounted solonoid'

(as I'd only recently fitted a new 'bulkhead mounted solonoid' and didn't want to rewire I left it installed)

see - (you could download these instructions to make them easier to read)


Nigel Atkins

Thanks guys,

If i try to start the car but it won't fire (normally it takes a couple of attempts to get the old girl going) then the starter does stop until i turn the key again.

In terms of spacers and shims, the old starter had spacers (numbers 40 and 39 on the attached pic) but the new starter motor seems to already have the mounting spacer. Do i need to put on two mounting spacers or is the part already fitted to the hight-torque motor not even a mounting spacer? Im now thinking that perhaps the motor is stopping turning but the teeth are always connected to the flywheel as even thought the gear protracts backwards.


Jamie Watt

My guess would be that the new starter is too far inserted and the drive pinion is continuing to just catching the flywheel even when disengaged. Try adding a spacer between starter flange and engine backplate. If the kit doesn't have a spare spacer I would just stack some large washers, at least as a temporary measure to test it.
Guy

These motors are supplied the same for A or 1500 engined Midgets so you need to re-use the original spacers.

If you're using the original bulkhead solenoid you will need the jumper wire.

Cheers

Les
l snowdon

Ah! That might solve the problem! I'll let you know how i get on.

Thanks again!
Jamie Watt

Jamie have you got a Midget 1500? (I've got a 1275)

As you've used a Moss(?) diagrapm - I realised you might not have bought the uprated starter from Moss but - on their description list it says -

STARTER MOTOR, Hi Torque, GXE4405X, £183.95
Application - 1275

as they don't show the unit I've no idea if it's specific or they just get what they can lay their hands on

so you might need to use 39 and/or 40

the photo you've posted of the Hi Torque starter looks more complicated than the one I've got fitted

Sounds like Guy and LES HAve you sorted tho'
Nigel Atkins

I have a 1500 and the starter i've got was through Moss but it was definitely meant to fit a 1500.

What do you mean by 39 and 40?

Jamie
Jamie Watt

Jamie didn't you mention 39 and 40 first?
David Smith

1275 works on 1500 and vice versa for standard starter motors.
rachmacb

Haha, yes, i did mention 39 and 40 - apologies, a long day at work has clearly taken it's toll!

I'll re-use the original spacers (which will require some modification) and let you know how i get on.
Jamie Watt

Jamie,

You said you had some concern that the noise might be the fresh engine rather than the starter. Since you are taking the starter off anyway for the spacers, you could start the car while the starter is off to eliminate the engine as the cause of the noise.

Charley
C R Huff

Success! It needed a couple of spacers to take the starter gear off the fly wheel once the engine had started but it no longer makes a horrible noise!! Now, if only i could get that clutch disengaged...
Jamie Watt

Glad you got it sorted

Just for others info Moss show two different numbers for 1275 and 1500
see - http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=1520

>>Now, if only i could get that clutch disengaged...<< now that needs another thread and more info
Nigel Atkins

Thanks nigel,

I've had a thread on here about the clutch before and got a heap of good advice, the blasted thing appears to be stuck solid though, despite several attempts at trying to free it. I think it'll have to be a job for the professionals once the car is finished :(
Jamie Watt

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2011 and 28/03/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.