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MG MGA - Starting problem

Hello, I own an 1957 MGA. Over the past few months the battery has shown sign of weakness. Very sluggish starting. I replaced the battery and initally the starter motor turn over rapidly and all was fine. However, over the next few weeks the battery became very sluggish. When charged this did not help.

I noticed that when I did not turn on the ingnition and pulled the starter motor, it turned over fine. When the ignition is turned on the sluggesh problem happens.
The electrical system is draining when the ignition is on.

I know there could be many electrical shorts, but prior to starting an exhaustive search i thought it worth while to ask if anyone else has experienced this issue?

thank you
SA Walmsley

Any chance you changed the ignition timing? Spark too early will make it hard to turn over, but with key off (no spark) it spins normally.
Barney Gaylord

A quick test is to double check the grounding from the battery to a "good" ground - its easy enough to use a jumper cable. I've had the sluggish starting on two of my cars this year and both were bad grounds due to frayed wires. It might not be the problem, but its easy to rule this problem out....Dennis
Dennis Suski

interesting comments. I recently changed to electronic ignition to improve spark. Did not change timing but will check again.
Will also check ground thx so much
SA Walmsley

SA, Also have a look at the Gyles post below -- "Starter Motor Occasionally Does Not Mesh"

Could solve your problem. Barry
Barry Gannon

Yes I agree with Barney classic timing/firing order symptoms

When you say you changed to electronic ignition but did not alter the timing are you saying you did nothing to the timing at all? not even reset it to be correct after the installation?
Bob Turbo Midget England

Ignition dwell and timing varies when points opening changes. Ignition timing may also be affected by the air gap size with the electronic ignition module. You do need to check and reset timing after installing the electronic ignition module.

When timing is too far advanced causing hard cranking, you can switch off, pull "S" to get it cranking over quickly, then switch on while cranking to let the flywheel keep it spinning quickly while it starts.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed on 23/11/2011

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