Wedge Triumph TR7 Starting Problem

[mgbmedic]

WEnt for a short drive in my 1980 TR7, after sitting for 2 hrs, tried to start it and...starter bendix hung up, Engine ran but wouldn't stop, starter stayed engaged, had to remove battery cable to get it to stop. Had starter rebuilt... no change. Replaced ign switch...starter still stays engaged, but can shut engine off with key. This is a big improvement, but still not fixed. Traced wiring for dead short, as battery drains when parked. Traced to starter relay without finding any obvious problems. Could the relay be the culprit? How do you test relays? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[starauto]

Hi I refurbish Lucas starter at my business and from your description of the problem it sound to me you have a defective starter solenoid. You said you had the starter rebuilt. Was a new solenoid installed at that time? Also there is a possibility that the starter drive is staying engaged because the teeth may be not engaging correctly into the flywheel and grinding. If a new solenoid was not installed at the time of the rebuilt on the starter my bet is a bad starter solenoid. If I can further assist you can always contact me.

Mike Martinez
Star Auto Electric
www.starautoelectric.com

 

[philman]

I put the wrong relay in the fuse panel once for the starter and it would stay engaged while the key was on. Did you replace any relays lately?

 

[tr8todd]

The starter relay is the round blue one. Replace it with another and see if it fixes the problem. It needs to be one of the blue relays- the black ones are different.

 

[mgbmedic]

Just drove the car for a short hop to the grocery store, came home, let it sit...problem occured. Are these relays available locally, or Lucas specific. Someone did point out that I had no brake lights...connection to starter? It is the round blue one, not the square aluminum one. And, it's a new solenoid. Thanks for your help, I'll try replacing the relay tomorrow and let you know then.