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BJ8 Ignition switch?

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Scot

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Guys,

Went out to start my BJ8 today and first twist of the key got the red ignition light and fuel pump ticking as always then it died quickly. Further attempts only got just a faint clunking sound and a small flicker of the fuel gauge needle now nothing at all when I try. Battery is fully charged and all ignition connections look tight. Could this possibly be a switch problem or something else? Any and all comment appreciated!
 
GregW

GregW

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You might want to check the battery switch in the trunk. Use a jumper cable to bypass it.
 
Bob_Spidell

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Scot said:
Guys,

Went out to start my BJ8 today and first twist of the key got the red ignition light and fuel pump ticking as always then it died quickly. Further attempts only got just a faint clunking sound and a small flicker of the fuel gauge needle now nothing at all when I try. Battery is fully charged and all ignition connections look tight. Could this possibly be a switch problem or something else? Any and all comment appreciated!
Click to expand...

How do you know your battery is fully charged? How old is it? Do you keep it on a conditioner when you don't drive it often? If you check with a voltmeter, an almost-dead battery might still show close to 13V, but won't be able to turn the engine over (the faint clunk you heard is probably the solenoid making contact). To really check a battery, you need a load tester (less than $100, and worth it if you maintain several cars). Try jumping the battery, being mindful of your ground orientation.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Do the 6 cylinder cars have the big rubber button on the starter solenoid the way the 100's do?
 
roscoe

roscoe

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We'l,l then you could push that and it would bypass the starter button. Be careful and make sure it is in neutral if you do that. Don't want it exiting the garage and running you over if it starts.
 
Bob_Spidell

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Should qualify my answer: Original and some aftermarket solenoids have the push button; there are aftermarket solenoids that look nothing like the originals and don't have a push button (but they are cheaper).
 
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Scot

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Bob_Spidell said:
How do you know your battery is fully charged? How old is it? Do you keep it on a conditioner when you don't drive it often? If you check with a voltmeter, an almost-dead battery might still show close to 13V, but won't be able to turn the engine over (the faint clunk you heard is probably the solenoid making contact). To really check a battery, you need a load tester (less than $100, and worth it if you maintain several cars). Try jumping the battery, being mindful of your ground orientation.
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the input guys! Bob was correct it was the battery but since I have never replaced one in a Healey I never knew the symtoms of a bad one. It was testing ok on a voltmeter and showed green on my battery tender but had no cold cranking amps left! New battery installed and problem solved.
I will say keeping the battery on a tender greatly extended the life of the old one though! My next purchase is a load tester as advised! Thanks to all again!
 
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