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Car wont start sometimes

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Newkie

Newkie

Jedi Trainee
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I have a 73' B and sometimes the car just wont turn over unless I move the shifter out of gear or just move the shifter around in general with the clutch engaged? Any ideas of why it does this? A Connection problem obviously somewhere. I am also hearing a slight clicking to grinding noise when I start it. My father checked out the starter and didnt think it was that? But he didnt take it out or anything.

Thanks

Art
 
I could be wrong on both of these but there may be an interrupt switch on the trans that prevents starting the car in gear. I'm sure when they started doing that. And the slight clicking to grinding noise may be your fuel pump. It'll click like that until the system is under pressure. If I'm wrong, I know other wiser minds will be here with advise before long. :smile:
 
Thanks...
It just started doing this a few weeks back, and I have had the car for a handful of yrs. now. Its definetly coming from the engine compartment.
 
Oddly, could be a ground to the engine.
If battery is grounded to chassis or body, moving the shifter can disrupt insulating gear oil...

How is the engine grounded on your car now?
 
The battery is grounded to the chassis. Since I am not Joe Mechanic, is the engine grounded anywhere else that I am not aware of that could cause this?

Art
 
At th' mount.
 
...engine mount. Braided and bolted.
 
"Bond.... James Bond"
 
That's why I asked.

Check that ground.

Now, sometimes PO's ground the engine, and it will start, but finding a ground through a bad braided cable can be interesting.

I've seen cable operated coulmn shifted automatics fry that cable, seen speedometer cables glow when trying to start.

The wiggling of the shifter has me somewhat concerned about engine to chassis ground.

I have never seen, that I can recall, an MGB with a shifter inhibit.
In fact, I just went over my schematics again, nothing.

That said, you are dealing with Lucas, and it could be a lot of things, maybe simply a corroded connector, and jiggling the shifter shakes the car enough it starts.

But check your grounds.
 
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