MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Car won't start.......

I just tried to start the car (Roadster V8) and it initially turned over and then stopped (does this quite a lot on cold start without choke). On the second attempt it again tried to start and then stopped altogether. If I press the starter there is an audible click but no attempt to start. I am pretty certain this isn't the battery as I have driven the car quite recently, plus have left it for a lot longer periods and it has started first time. It sounds like the starter to me but since I am pretty novice at this I don't know.

Any takers please?

Thanks

Andy
A Butterworth

Andy,
Try to push start it and see what happens. It could be a shot starter but also a halfdead battery. Try to charge the battery and watch carefully how many amperes the chareger gives at the beginning of the charging cycle. Also keep tab on how long you have to charge before the charger indicates nil ampere. High ampere initially and a short period of time before reaching nil, indicates a bad battery.

Regards
Erik
Erik

I have checked the battery and it is fully charged so I don't think its this. I can't really jump start it as it is in my garage and its on an inclimb so as soon as I get it out of the door its on a downward hill.
I am just after a pointer as to what this is. I have checked all the fuses and they are fine - all the electrical stuff in the car works. When I turn the key the fuel pump starts and then stops/slows when there is enough fuel. If I then press the starter button there is an audible click and the courtesy light dims (I have the door open) but there is no attempt at the engine turning over. I assume therefore that it is something related to the starter motor(?). Can anyone offer any more suggestions?

Thanks

Andy
A Butterworth

It does sound like the starter motor solenoid has burnt out (this is attached to the bottom of the motor)especilly as you said it has played up in the past, when cold. Before you change it, do check that the starter relay is working ok, (normally mounted on the o/s inner wing). If the relay is ok, the starter solenoid can be replaced on its own, but it would be better to replace the starter motor as well.

mike
mike

Sorry for asking such a dumb question but where is the starter motor?

Andy
A Butterworth

Andy, my car used to play up like this. If I left the car for a week there was sufficient juice in the battery to operate the ancilliaries but not to turn the engine over. All I got was the 'clunk' sound. I bought a battery conditioner which is easy to install and use and automatically tops up the battery. I've never had a 'clunk' since.

Also, te fact that it turned over a little on the first attempt and then nothing on the second suggests that the battery is the source of the problem

David.
David Canning

The battery is definately not the problem as I left it on charge last night and this morning the LED on the battery conditioner was Green indicating it was fully charged. All I get when I press the starter is a relay click and nothing else, no other noises, nothing except as I said with the door open the courtesy light dims slightly as the starter is pressed.

Thanks

Andy
A Butterworth

Andy,
Have you tried to boost the car?
Your description indicates a bad battery. Do not assume since the charger shows good that the battery is fine. I have had that happen on more than one car.
Mike

Mike

Honestly believe me it isn't the battery - yes I have tried boosting the battery.

It initially turned over and then absolutely nothing just a relay click.

Andy
A Butterworth

Andy,

Before you get too involved with the starter motor and solenoid I would check the connections from the battery. Firstly remove the earth/Negative lead and thoroughly clean with emery paper the inside of the clamp, I would also be tempted to clean the contact faces where it bolts to the chassis frame, then take off and clean the positive connections, do not reconnect the earth to the battery until you have cleaned and reconnected the positive lead. This might solve all your problems and certainly won't do any harm. I am assuming that you have battery clamps with a bolt on the side and not the type that are enclosed with a screw through the top, If you have these replace them as they are often the source of problems.

Hope this proves to be of help.

Kevin Jackson.
K.R Jackson

Andy,
The starter motor is located on the r/h side of the engine (drivers side) underneath the exhaust manifold. The only was to get to it is from below the car. If you can get access to a ramp or inspection pit it will make life easier.

mike
mike

Thanks Mike
A Butterworth

It is the starter (motor or solenoid I don't know?). I asked a couple of mates down the pub last night and after explaining the symptoms one said

'it sounds like the starter motor, have you tried giving it a tap with a hammer?'

I actually thought he was kidding but no, he said it may be the brushes in the starter motor and a quick tap may loosen them. Anyway I just tried this and the car kicked into life.

I assume the starter motor is on its way out and will need replacing, is this likely the case? Is it work me keeping a hammer in the car if this happens when I am out?

Thanks

Andy
A Butterworth

Hi Andy
I have just had exactly the same problem as you, caused me to miss the New Forest run On Sunday. I too checked battery, cleaned all terminals, hit starter with hammer and even got the RAC to come and check it over.Turns out starter is dead, it clicks on trying to start, draws 500amps but no go. I ordered a new Nippon Denso V8 Hi Torque starter from Moss on the internet on Sunday evening £ 175 all in. You might want to do teh same

Biffofo
Brian Marshall

Brian

Touch wood mine has been fine since. I have left the hammer in the boot just in case though.....

It is missing the reverse light switch so will be going back to the garage when the new one comes in, I'll get him to take a look at the starter then.

Andy
A Butterworth

Andy
The OE starter solenoids get sticky being so near the exhaust - they have a hole at the rear through which it is possible to spray WD40 ( twice a year will put off the evil day when a replacement is needed)

The earth strap is a perennial prob also - suggest you fit another in the engine bay where you can keep an eye on the fixings
RMW

If it is wiring related and it is really weird, it is mostlikely a grounding problem! (Grounding problems give Lucas much of its reputation).

Try connecting a jumper cable from the engine block to the frame. This will give the starter a ground path.

Pete
Pete

This thread was discussed between 02/06/2005 and 07/06/2005

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS is active now.