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 TD TF 1500 - Starter woes

Pulled on the starter switch and nothing...battery has a good charge...I think my starter has given up the ghost...just to make sure ran a jump wire from the starter direct to the battery...not a peep out of the starter...my question...is it a good idea to get the starter fixed or get a new one? Can I take it to any auto electric shop or do I need an mg specialist shop?
Thanks,
Bob Doc
Bob Dougherty

Your problem could very well be worn brushes or burned up pig-tails caused by loose brush connections. Also failed brush pressure springs can cause this problem. Any good starter/generator shop or a Saturday morning DIY job. Hope it is nothing more serious.

Safety fast,

Jim Haskins
J. M. Haskins

Bob - I would amend Jim's statement to say any good Auto Electric shop will be able to fix your starter. I don't know how far your are from Wilton, but if you are close, Wilton Auto Electric would be the place to take your starter. The address is:
10 Stoney Brook Dr.
Wilton, NH 03086

Their phone number is: 603-654-9852

Cheers,
Dave
David DuBois

Did you try turning the armature using the square protrusion on the back of the starter. Could have a flat spot. Still will need a rebuild, but that could get it working again for a short time.

Also. If your case is original for your car (manufacturer date is approximate to your year) When you take the motor into the shop. ask that they use your case for the rebuild. Lost a original starter motor case that way when the shop rebuilt it with another lucas case.
Bruce-C

I can second the recommendation for Wilton Auto Repair, even if you have to send it off to them. wiltonae@comcast.net Otherwise, it is a fun project to do yourself if you don't mind working on components.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Just for fun, before you pull it out try giving it a little "wack" with a ball pien hammer. (The one from the orginial tool kit works well.)
Mine got a little love tap 5 years ago and I have not had a problem with it since.
Worth a shot.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Bob,
If you do decide to go with a new starter, you can get an inexpensive "off the shelf" starter for an MG midget from almost any parts store. The only mod that must be done is to file off the head of one of the long bolts that hold it together, The bolt is countersunk, so removing the exposed head doesn't matter. This bolt head interfers where the starter is mounted.

SPW
Steve Wincze

I apologise if I am stating the obvious. Are you sure that the starter drive isn't jambed in the ring gear? As Bruce said, try turning the square end of the armature. If it turns freely, you might move the brushes off of a dead commutator segment and if it won't turn, it's jambed! If this is the case, you can break it free with a wrench or by rocking the car in forth gear. If you have a jamb, it will probably happen more and more frequently as time goes on. The only permanent fix is to replace the ring gear.
Steven Tobias

Bob, I agree with Steve W. In a jamb, just borrow the one from your wifes Bugeye. Then tell her that her car has a bad starter and she ought to do something about that!


R.AF. Robert Finucane

Thanks so much to all of you...I did turn the starter and it turned freely...no jamb...led me back to the battery... I found the problem...turns out the battery was indeed dead...I had hooked it up to a charger and it showed a full charge...what I didn't know was this charger shows a full charge when the battery will not accept any more charge...usually when it's full...in this case, it showed full because it wasn't taking any charge since it was dead...changed out the battery and she fired right up!
Live & learn!
Thanks Again to everybody
Bob Dougherty

This thread was discussed between 18/05/2009 and 22/05/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.