TR2/3/3A Sanity check- TR3 reduction starter wiring

[newmexTR3]

Hey all,

Looking for confirmation that I have my reduction starter wired correctly. Car is a '59 TR3A. A month ago, my old reduction starter finally bit the dust after 20+ years of use. I ordered a new one from British Parts Northwest and installed it exactly how I had my old one wired. The strangest thing has been happening, though- in the last couple of weeks, the starter has engaged on its own twice while parked in my garage. When parked, I leave it in 2nd gear and put parking brake on. I've only discovered this because I went into the garage and the car has moved forward a couple of feet on its own!

Here are a couple of pics of how I have it wired. The car had been converted to negative ground.

Thanks!

 

[TR Tom]

I would suspect that the old factory solenoid is acting up. Easy way to verify is to disconnect the thin wire going from old solenoid output to new starter (black wire that turns red near the new starter). Leave connected at the starter end, but at the old solenoid end attach it to the brown starter signal wire coming from the starter switch. This will take the old solenoid out of the circuit completely and then you can see if you still have the ghost starting issue. Only thing you will lose is function of solenoid push button, but otherwise starter should work fine.

If it turns out that’s the problem, there is an easy and more reliable way to wire to retain push button function, but first let’s figure out why your car is trying to drive off without you!

Other possibilities? Maybe a sticky starter button? Never heard of either of these things happening before, but these cars do sometimes have a mind of their own.

BTW, probably the only thing wrong with that old starter is the contacts in its internal solenoid. That’s what typically goes wrong with those Japanese starters. Cheap and easy to fix, and then you’ll have a spare starter (hope you didn’t toss it).

 

[donbmw]

When I first installed my starter years ago I didn’t use the solenoid on the starter. When the original solenoid went out I removed the original and wired it for the solenoid on the starter years ago.