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Midget Gremlin

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Midget Larry

Freshman Member
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Ok, you trouble-shooters. Here's your test. 74 Midget, which has been starting great. New battery. Parked at the grocery store, and when I came out I sort of hesitated with the starter. This barely turned the crank. When I turned the key the second time, it just sort of clicked. Plenty of battery juice, but no action at the starter. Came back three hours later after the sun went down, and tried again: no action. Came back the next morning, turned the key and it started like a champ.

So, was it my morning prayer to the God of Leyland, or what? Do I replace the starter, or just say more prayers?

confused.gif
 
first check starter solenoid and all connections.
 
Sounds to me like your starter jammed. When you first tried, the starter engaged and applied enough torque to cause it to jam. Overnight, as the temperature changed, the starter disengaged.

Easy fix, put car in 4th gear and rock back an forth.
 
Now you know what the square shaft coming out of the end of the starter is for. The next time this happens, (and it will) take a wrench and turn the square shaft to dis-engage the starter pinion from the ring gear. It should start just fine then. Frustrating, but at least it's easy to deal with.
Bugeye58
 
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