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Starter not starting much of anything

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100DashSix

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So I took my MG to watch the sun set over the water, and ended up watching the stars come out one by one, as the car wouldn't start after I parked it.

Ignition warning light, click of the relay, and nothing else. The connections to the battery look good, as does the ground strap on the engine. When I investigated under the car, I determined that three wires connected to the "Solenoid battery terminal" were there, but one wire (white with brown tracer) was hanging loose, the spade connector disconnected. Fortunately my father happened to be coming back from Miami, of all places, and was able to stop by and push the car with his so that I could pop the clutch and start it.

I attempted, as I was stranded, to connect a hot lead from the fusebox to what Haynes says is the starter's "STA terminal." Though I don't know what this stands for, tapping it with power makes the starter spin, though not engage with the flywheel. Likewise, the white and brown-lined wire, when connected to the STA terminal, will spark and release precious smoke when the key is turned, causing spinning.

Is this where the wire goes? I see no place to connect the spade connector at all. What needs to be connected to the starter? How can I diagnose this problem?

Help for my garage-entombed MGB is much appreciated.
 
You're correct in looking at the White/Brown wire hanging there.

It should slide onto a spade clip in the starter solenid. It's what gives the solenoid juice to pull closed, engaging the flywheel and spinning the starter motor.

If you're sure there is no tab next to the big lug farthest away from the starter body, check the spade clip on the W/B wire and see if the tab broke off in it. It's got to be there someplace!

If you get totally stuck, try https://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/electricsframe.htm


Good luck!

Adam
 
I did look into the spade clip and found nothing jammed in there, which baffled me. But if that's where it goes, then there must be some excuse! The lug that's furthest from the starter itself, that must be the "Solenoid battery terminal"

(the bottom one in the following image: https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=57725&SortOrder=1 )

If so, I was trying to put juice down the wrong terminal, the one that appears to go directly to the coiled wire inside the starter (which could explain the spinning, but not engaging).

So I'll try to find a new spade connector I can put on that terminal, as well as a new one for the wire.

That link looks great, by the way. Bookmarked!
 
Correct.

You DON'T want to attach it to the BIG lug but there should be a male blade nearby for the W/Br wire. In other words, the W/Br wire does NOT share a lug withthe Brown wire.

Adam
 
Hm, I suppose I am a bit confused then. On the solenoid I see two terminals with nuts, one of which has three wires already connecting to it (one or two of which are brown). This is the terminal that is furthest from the starter itself. Does the white w/ brown go onto this terminal, or the other one? (On the solenoid the two terminals look the same size to me.)
 
I'll keep it short as I'm on snack break at work.

The W/Br does NOT go to a big screw lug but, rather, to a standard spade that should be sticking out of the back of the solenoid somewhere near the big lug farthest from the starter. If it's not there, it's broken off. and you should see where it was.

In case I'm missing something, What year car are you working on?

Adam
 
Ah, I see--I didn't see any sort of blade sticking out like that, but will definitely look for it; though it'll have to wait for when I'm home next. It's a 74, by the way.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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