• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A More electrical....the Starter?

karls59tr

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
Quite frequently when I try to start the car there is a hesitation from the starter...like there is a build up then it finally catches and the car starts. I did find one source of the problem that being the cable from the solenoid at the starter was loose. I tightened that up and thought I had the problem solved. Still had the problem occasionally. Then I discovered that the positive battery post ,made out of that soft metal ,was just about split in half probably from over tightening. Replaced the post but still experience the same issue now and again. The battery has 12 volts and the alternator is charging it. Is it possible the starter itself is the problem? Is there a test I can do on it?
 

Sarastro

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
What exactly do you mean by a "build-up"? Does it start to spin for a few seconds and then begin cranking the engine? Or do you mean that nothing happens for a few seconds, then the starter kicks in and start the car?

If the former, it's probably not an electrical problem, but a problem with the starter gear. If the latter, it could be a lot of things--I'd start by putting a voltmeter on the starter solenoid and make sure it's getting power.

Overtightening should not damage the battery post. How do you replace a battery post?
 
OP
K

karls59tr

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
I meant the battery post clamp not the post itself. I must have over tightened the clamp. The starter seems to slowly build up momentum for a couple revolutions then kicks in. Other times it kicks in right away.
 

poolboy

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
That slow build up, might be because of the ignition timing too advanced..Try retarding it a few degrees and see if the starter takes off at full speed.
 

CJD

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
I'm thinking the solenoid is acting up. Dirty contacts either internally or externally.
 

BobbyO

Jedi Hopeful
Country flag
Offline
I'm thinking the bendix on the starter. Takes the starter spinning a little before it moves and engages the flywheel.
 
OP
K

karls59tr

Obi Wan
Country flag
Offline
Maybe a better description is: Turn key...starter pauses for 3 seconds....cranks... pauses for one second...catches and starts. Sometimes it fires right upon first turn of key.
 

Sarastro

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
I'd put a voltmeter or test lamp on the starter's electrical connection point. Try to start it. If the solenoid clicks but there is no voltage, it's probably bad. If there is no click at all, probably the ignition switch or a loose connection at the switch or solenoid. If there is voltage at the starter but it doesn't turn, make sure the connection to the starter is clean and tight, and if so, you'll need a new starter.
 

Tr-Beg

Member
Offline
With a big wire you shunt the relay you touch the + on the battery ( assuming is neg earth ) and the output of the relay. If the starter run directly strongly you have a problem with the relay ( a starter use the 12 v but have a high current surge at the start, a starter cable can be used ). You have certainly 12v everywhere on the connections but can the connections deliver a surge of 400 amps at the start if the connection is not strong.
I had a problem similar with my relay ( a square one ) I drilled the pops and cleaned inside with fine paper, I even drilled a little hole in the lid ( protected by tape now ) so a simple push with a plastic rod will start the starter if one day the relay fail.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
K TR2/3/3A More electrical....the Starter? Triumph 5
K TR2/3/3A More electrical....parking lights?... Triumph 2
T More electrical stuff Triumph 2
Bayless More Prefect Progress Other British Cars 2
B MGB while driving engine cuts out if I let off or push more throttle it comes right back on MG 5
C MGB More Weber help needed MG 27
DrEntropy More lessons in Japanese engineering Other Cars 7
KVH General Tech More Technical Questions—TR4 Triumph 5
KVH General Tech Heater and Vent Control Cables--TR2 thru TR4, and more . . . Triumph 3
KVH General Tech More Engine Rebuild Questions Triumph 15
AngliaGT A Few More Spotted 6
AngliaGT Saw a Few More Spotted 0
Bob Claffie More Village pics Other British Cars 0
Bob Claffie More Village pics Other Cars 3
M TR6 More noob questions… Triumph 14
Bayless More Paint Other British Cars 3
AngliaGT A Few More Local Vehicles Spotted 5
Basil More BMW Z4 trials Other Cars 21
AngliaGT A Few More I saw Yesterday Spotted 10
SteveTheBrewer Spitfire More rust repair Triumph 1
AngliaGT A Few More along Highway 220 Spotted 3
Bob Claffie More pics from Falls Village Festival Other British Cars 3
Sherlock Another cruise night, more interesting British iron Spotted 2
Y MGB More things that seem odd.... MG 2
D TR2/3/3A More Fuel pump questions. Triumph 10
jlaird MGB More on Bee's status MG 6
AngliaGT A Couple More Spotted 0
tr6nitjulius TR6 TR6 meeting my Demands & Giving Back more! Triumph 2
tr6web TR6 More leg room needed Triumph 5
Got_All_4 For Sale Brake caliper pistons Ceramic Coated and more Triumph Classifieds 0
Nelson No more MG Midgets Spridgets 3
HealeyPassion Getting a bit more space for triple Webers... or EFI Austin Healey 3
K TR2/3/3A Auxillary Carb Return Spring in More BS about TR's. Triumph 0
K TR2/3/3A More pics of Kast Cam Triumph 4
K TR2/3/3A TR3A SU's More Pics Triumph 0
Ripper01 For Sale more TR-6 Used Parts Oct 2019 Triumph Classifieds 0
lbcspinners A- H Frog E: no more Bugeye oil leaks! Austin Healey 4
7 No more Bosch tools for me Restoration & Tools 4
D TR2/3/3A More small nuts [ and studs!] Triumph 2
C TR6 More fun with Lucas Triumph 5
Bayless More Sprite progress finally Spridgets 23
Bayless Even more progress - the Prefect Other British Cars 5
maxwedge5281 one more time.....mirrors! Austin Healey 14
Bob Claffie T-Series More or less TD action MG 0
R More Shroud to Scuttle install Austin Healey 4
Y MGB Answer to a question creates more new questions.... MG 12
K TR2/3/3A Auxillary carb return spring in "More BS about TR,s" Triumph 9
S TR2/3/3A little more door gap Triumph 14
Michael Oritt Replacing timing chain tensioner and more Austin Healey 24
T How to add a bit more realiability/endurance to a stock 1275 engine rebuild? Spridgets 9

Similar threads

Top