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Doesnt start

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mozrtpmp

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Hi everyone,glad to be part of this Forum.I recently brought a TR6 1974 this spring its in great condition.I've been driving it about once a month for about an hour the most.Up till yesterday every was working find.When I went to turn it on yesterday it would not start,first I though I migh of left the lights on but that was not the case.All electrical parts are working find,lights,radio,ect,but it will not crank over.I hooked up a charger to the battery and the battery seems to be find.I was able to push start it but once I turned it off it would not start.I carefully went thru all the wiring in the engine compartment and they all seem find,conections are all clean.......Anyone have any ideas or suggestion?My charger did show a "fault" on the alternator but I would have thought that after push starting it that if the problem was with the alternator that it would have started with a jump.
Thanks.
Ray.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gifIs the battery dead, or it just doesn't crank? Turn on the headlights and hit the key. If the lights go out or dim, while the car should be cranking, then you most likely have a bad battery. If they stay the same, then you are not getting power from battery to the starter motor. My guess would be the solenoid is not working or has a bad connection.(the little wire from the ignition switch) Try jumpering from the battery side of the solenoid to the small wire terminal. If it works, then there is something funky with the switch or the wiring from it. If it don't work, using a jumper cable, jump from the battery side of the solenoid to the cable running to the starter. If it cranks, then the solenoid is bad. If not, the your starter is the problem. Be sure to make sure the car is in neutral before attemting any of this. Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
I don't mean to ask a "duh huh" kind of question, but did you check the battery terminals to see if they are clean? That problem has popped up several times before. Just a thought. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
It could also be a bad starter/solenoid. I've had cars in the past where the starter went from being perfect (no problems) to turning the key and getting absolutely no click the next time I attempted to drive it (a few days later.)

Could also be that the alternator is toasted, and took the battery with it, so that even a jump start can't produce enough power to turn it over.
 
There's one other possibility, seeing as this is a '74. Assuming it's a "Federal" (US spec) TR6, it might still have the dreaded seat belt interlock system in place...and that might finally have failed (not uncommon on '74 model year Triumphs). It's not too hard to deal with, as the "fix" involves running a simple jumper wire from one of the wires (red/orange, if I remember correctly) to the red/white wire terminal on the solenoid. Or something like that; it's been a long time since I had to deal with this on a '74 Spitfire!
 
The battery is in good condition according to my charger readings.Lights,radio,horn,all work find.When I try to crank it the lights do not dim.My charger also has a Alternator reading on it that shows a "Fault" but if it was the alternator I would have thought that it would start with a jump.I took the alternator to have it tested but the 2 places I went too did not have the adopter for that old of a car to have it tested.
Ray.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gifThe alt. is not the problem. As long as you have your battery charged, the car will and should run without one. Your charger is probably showing a fault because your car is not runnig, so it's not charging... Check the stuff I mentioned, you should be able to figure it out that way. I'd check the silly seat belt dealy as well. Look for the wires under the d-seat seat and jumper them. The problem is most likely in the starter circuit.
 
yes, I would concur with all the posts above that it's in the starter circuit (incl. the seatbelt circuit). You may need a new solenoid or starter or just a tightening up of the wiring in that area. It also sounds like, from what you've said, that you have a very healthy altenator,however, your battery may or may not be good...
Achtung
 
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