TR6 Engine Dies and starter wont turn over

[ke006va]

I have a 1974 TR6, the car starts up fine, driving along great and then all of a sudden (usually coming to a stop) and the engine dies. Has electrical power (headlights can turn on) but the starter doesn't turn over.
I suspect it has to do with the wire bundle going into the positive side of the battery. I move them around and can usually get the starter to turn over and engine starts back up normal.
Has anyone seen anything like this or have any idea as to what the problem is?
thanks

 

[TR3driver]

I think you're on the right track. That connector in the battery lead is a common trouble spot, and the headlights get power through a different wire than the ignition switch does. The fix might be as simple as removing the brown wires, cleaning the spades and putting it back together. Preferably with a coating of silicone grease (or even just Vaseline) to reduce future corrosion.

 

[SASSAMON]

Randall's comment is a good place to start checking the wiring for faults. I would comment that the "silicone" to use is silicone dialectric grease and not silicone gasket or silicone adhesive. The dialectric grease is used to keep oxygen and water out of the electrical contacts to prevent corrosion.

I have seen many instances where electrical failures are due to mechanical problems. Wires have broken inside connectors and insulations, corrosion has separated the contact surfaces, or the wires have been installed in the wrong place.


Good luck finding a solution.

Roger

I think you're on the right track. That connector in the battery lead is a common trouble spot, and the headlights get power through a different wire than the ignition switch does. The fix might be as simple as removing the brown wires, cleaning the spades and putting it back together. Preferably with a coating of silicone (or even just Vaseline) to reduce future corrosion.

 

[TRopic6]

Aloha ke006,

Randall's suggestion is the first and most likely fix for that (and future) electrical gremlins. Another thing is to follow the wire bundle from the ignition switch to it's connector to the main wiring harness. Separate, clean. make sure the pins & sockets are fully extended/seated, & reconnect (coat with dielectric grease or similar). That solved my sudden cutoff problem. Welcome BTW!

Jeff
74.5 & 75 TR6

 

[TR3driver]

I would comment that the "silicone" to use is silicone dialectric grease and not silicone gasket or silicone adhesive.

Oops, good catch. Thanks!