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MGB 1980 Starter Relay & running problems

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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I have had problems with the car cutting out and stopping while driving and difficult starting.
Apparently I have a replacement cube style relay for the starter relay.
Last week the car refused to start after cranking the starter several times it just refused to engage any more.
Looking on the electrical diagram I saw how it should work but it just wasn't.
After trying a few dead ends I came to the starter relay.
Leaving the key in the ON position and the gear selector in neutral and the E-brake on I started to remove one of the wires -while jiggling the connector the starter engaged!
I decided to replace the relay since I have several spares.
I also found a PO had "repaired" the connection of the two White/Red wires at the back connector and his black tape wasn't quite holding those wires together.
After snipping the ends and attaching a new spade connector and replacing the relay the engine has started much much easier every time I have attempted it.
Just thought this might be helpful to anyone having similar issues.
 
Last edited:
oops - I wrote too soon...
Today I went to the grocery store and it failed to start when I was ready to leave.
It's been a few days since I thought I had it fixed, and it's started great every time until this afternoon.
I fiddled with the wiring and all that until I was too cold and gave up.
Thought I'd try compression starting just for grins, it wouldn't start on compression but on a lark I hit the key again and it started up!
So maybe I'm really having a starter problem, something moved a bit when I tried compression starting.
Maybe next time I'll have a hammer and I'll whack the side of the starter and see if it starts.

Open to suggestion!
 
That's another thing, I touched the white/red to brown that I knew was hot and nothing happened.
Sounds like starter more and more.

Grantura_MKI said:
Gladyoufound the issue....as you know, the white/red is the trigger wire to the solinode.
Click to expand...
 
Since you had some bad connections on the starter relay, you might also want to check the connections at the ignition relay (the one forward of the fuse box). I had some suspect connections there and it would cause the car to occasionally crank but not fire....
 
I did that last night, also think I was reading the wire wrong in the dark.
Might be the white/brown that goes from the starter relay to the solenoid, I will look again when I go out to work on it today.
Either way touching the white/red to brown while the key was ON did nothing and the same with the white/brown to brown wire.
Then after trying unsuccessfully to compression start turning the key started the engine.
All I can guess is my solenoid isn't kicking in.
I would be more convinced if I went out and tried to start and got no starter action and then tapping it with a hammer caused it to start on the next turn of the key.
Still circumstantial but I have ordered a new starter.

Joe Reed said:
Since you had some bad connections on the starter relay, you might also want to check the connections at the ignition relay (the one forward of the fuse box). I had some suspect connections there and it would cause the car to occasionally crank but not fire....
Click to expand...
 
White/brown to brown should have at least gotten a click from the solenoid even if the connection wasn't good enough to actually turn the starter over.

It probably is a starter going South but, just for kicks you could swap the ignition and starter relays and see if it cranks. I don't recall seeing a relay fail intermittently, but I suppose anything is possible. If your non-cranking issue goes away you'll know the relay needs replacing.
 
Thanks Joe,
I just came in from looking it over again.
Now both the starter and ignition relays have been changed out with new.
Before doing anything I tried the starter, engine started right up.
Turned it off & waited, started right up again.
Scratched head.
Replaced the relay I didn't replace the other day & tried again, still starts right up.
You know that feeling you get when you know you have a problem but it just isn't happening any more?
That's me right now.
Think I'll go buy the starter and have it on hand - maybe then I'll never need it.

Joe Reed said:
White/brown to brown should have at least gotten a click from the solenoid even if the connection wasn't good enough to actually turn the starter over.

It probably is a starter going South but, just for kicks you could swap the ignition and starter relays and see if it cranks. I don't recall seeing a relay fail intermittently, but I suppose anything is possible. If your non-cranking issue goes away you'll know the relay needs replacing.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, it's not a good feeling when you go for a drive, stop for gas, food or something....then wonder "is it going to start this time?" :smile: Hopefully the new relays fixed it!
 
Well it died a couple blocks from home this morning.
When I tried to restart it the starter wouldn't engage.
I brought a hammer with me when I left the house, I popped the hood smacked the starter got back in and started the car.
Was having a bit of trouble keeping it going, had to smack the starter a couple more times until I got the automatic choke adjusted right.
Hope the replacement starter I ordered arrives today.
 
You've mentioned the car dying on you as well. Odd, that, as I wouldn't think that to be a starter issue. Have you had a look at your ignition switch connections? Grounds?

Keep us posted.

Mickey
 
Separate issue car dying due to me sometimes not getting my lefts & rights correct.
Like when adjusting the automatic choke.

Or is it that sensor they put in this year of MGB that knows when you are in the middle of an intersection and sends the cutoff order so you have to push the car over to the other side so you can then work on it?
No wait, that's included in all MG's right?
The humility circuit.

Mickey Richaud said:
You've mentioned the car dying on you as well. Odd, that, as I wouldn't think that to be a starter issue. Have you had a look at your ignition switch connections? Grounds?

Keep us posted.

Mickey
Click to expand...
 
Nothing to do with your starter problem, but, just a little question, have you ever replaced the suction fuel line between the tank and the fuel pump? I had one crack inside the outer covering and it would suck just enough air to let me drive it for a couple miles and die. set for a couple minutes and it would start and run for a couple miles. Replaced the line and all was well. PJ
 
I bought the car last May.
It had been restored at least body and paint 10 years ago then driven around 1000 miles since.
Alternator and water pump had to be replaced, then the clutch master & slave cylinders.
The head has a crack as many of this year do but it still runs just leaks a little back between #3 & #4.
I have not replaced any hoses but I did replace the belt.
Radiator hoses look new.
Fuel line is as I bought it and may need replacing but I've been going one item at a time.

If anyone knows if there are any issues with replacing the starter on this 1980 B I'd like to hear about them before I get home and try to do it out on the street.
Hopefully it's just put the car up on stands, unbolt the wires and unbolt the starter then put the new one in place.
 
Just reporting back, it went as smoothly as I could have expected.
Starter working right every time now.
Now if I could figure out how to make the carb a little richer for cold morning starts, I don't think the automatic choke works.
I tried loosening and moving it both directions, it just doesn't seem to make any difference.
I hate automatic chokes and don't care for the Stromberg carb in general, the plan is to exchange the head for my new one, bolt on an early exhaust and a pair of HIF4's.
The plan has been to do this in the spring, so I've just been trying to make it until spring.
There is a screw on the left side of the carb that causes the idle to increase when turned clockwise however it doesn't seem to make any difference for cold weather starting.
Any ideas?
 
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