Starter won't stop??

[AlfaHealey]

Hooked up battery and starter immediately starts cranking engine over. Checked that Ignition switch is off and disconnected starter button but as soon as battery is reconnected starter engages and turns engine. Seems stuck. Haven't let it start up engine...afraid of damaging starter. Any advice on problem and possible remedies? Is there a separate solenoid or relay that should be checked? Where and how? Thanks much, Eric

 

[Velox]

Hi Eric /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif

Sounds like a stuck solenoid, which is the component on the passenger side firewall down low where the large battery cable that travels up the frame bolts onto; it receives low current 12V from the starter circuit which energizes the solenoid and connects the primary battery cable (neg cable if stock + ground car, reverse if modified to neg ground)to the large cable attaching to the starter. The solenoid has the button on the backside that you can push to make the connection manually and crank the engine without the key on or using the starter button (meaning you don't need help!). It looks like this

and wiggling/pushing the button may free it, or a gentle tap with your favorite fixit tool may work too. I have seen this happen, mostly (with the battery disconnected) you may need to remove the solenoid and repair it or replace it (20-25 bucks at the usual suspects). Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[dklawson]

If your Healey uses the push-button solenoid shown above, and if it's an aftermarket or late model part... I am painfully aware of problems with that item.

The push-button solenoid was used on a number of LBCs in the 1960s. The current batch of parts has a design problem. There is an "E"-ring on the solenoid plunger shaft that is supposed to push the copper contact into position to pass starter motor power. Over time the E-ring loosens and falls off the shaft which prevents the contact from moving and thus... no starter power. I've also had one of these where the contacts spot welded themselves together which forced me to pull the battery cable to stop the engine from cranking.

Of the three I've purchased over the past 5 years, none has lasted more than about a 18 months. As I mentioned, I've seen them both fail to engage and fail to disengage. It's quite unlikely that you wired the solenoid wrong (as long as you didn't put both big cables on the same lug). It is quite likely you've got a problem with the solenoid itself.

 

[John Loftus]

While on the push-button solenoid subject, can someone tell me which terminal the battery cable connects to? or does it matter? Inboard or outboard?

Cheers,
John

 

[AlfaHealey]

Thank you all! One gentle whack to solenoid die it! Eric

 

[dklawson]

There are only two contacts inside the push-button starter and neither one has an earth connection. However, on the cars I have, the battery cable has been connected to the bottom terminal (see picture posted above) and the starter connection is therefore the top one. I suppose that's to minimize the chance that something (wrench, etc.) accidentally dropped on the solenoid would short to chassis ground.

 

[Velox]

[ QUOTE ]
Thank you all! One gentle whack to solenoid die it! Eric

[/ QUOTE ]

Which harkens back to the era of "rev tunes" and "whack it til it works right" car repairs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Keoke]

Hi John, where the hot cable connects is not problematic given that the terminals set side by side and include insulating boots.However, I prefer to locate the hot cabe to the inboard terminal as it provides additional isolation from grounded components.---Keoke

 

[John Loftus]

Thanks Doug and Keoke,

The P.O. had the battery cable on the outboard side but I was thinking along the same lines (as Keoke) and attached it to the inboard. Here's a pic Doug on how this part is oriented on the big Healey.