Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Finch661]

is it not a bit iffy bridging the solenoid?
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1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500

[MVPeters]

Yes, but only the first time you do it!

Some solenoids have a 'switch' on one end, as Bob pointed out, usually covered by a rubber button - pushing this manually pushes the solenoid core & connects the 2 terminals, just the same as twisting the key.

Take an old, heavy screwdriver or similar; rest the side of it firmly on one terminal & then push it firmly onto the other terminal. Be prepared for some big sparks.
If the starter then spins the way it should & the engine cranks, you need a new solenoid; if the starter is already jammed, you are effectively shorting the battery to earth & pulling a LOT of current in the process. Your old screwdriver will have burn marks on it.

Note: you said the starter was hard to turn with the square - it shouldn't be. You probably can't spin a starter with your fingers, but it should turn freely with the spanner.

Personally I'd take the starter off & test it with some jumper cables. Once it's off, clean & lube it etc etc..
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

[Bluesbreaker]

I don't have an answer to why it won't start, but the MPG thing, I believe the engine is simply running too rich. I know you mentioned earlier that someone checked the carb and tuned it, but that (I believe) means also that they have set the mixture richer than it was before. This because the richer the mixture is, the better it runs (until you hit the point when it stops running). This tends also tends to give you a very bad mpg since the engine now needs much more petrol.

This happened to my ´74 96 and to my brothers '83 99, and in both cases it worked.

Try for yorself

Niko

Oh, and thinking about the starter problem.. Try hitting it with a hammer! Not too hard, but more gently. That also awakens a dead starter. sometimes.
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I just love old cars!

Saab 96 V4 1973
Saab 96 V4 1974
Saab 96L V4 Super 1977

[Finch661]

my new starter has arrived there is a slight issue though.....





and thats after i cleared the roof the night before....and now we have had an extra few inches this morning....
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1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500

[Finch661]

had a wee look again today at the car. shorted the solenoid out and nothgin happened. took a jumplead from the starter to the battery, and again nothing happened
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1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500

[Nic Jarman]

I think the time has come to pay a mechanic for an hour of his time to get this problem sorted. It will be a lot cheaper in the long run.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[MVPeters]

Finch

Is this with the new starter installed?

If it was with the old, 'jammed' starter you should at least have got big sparks & quite likely a burning smell too!

If it was with the new one, then you've got a battery or earth wiring problem. Five minutes with a volt/ohm meter will tell you where.
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S'

[Finch661]

its the old starter, i just get clicking from the solenoid, even whilst being jump started.
i had a go at removing the starter, but there just doesnt seem to be much room to get to the bolts. any advice on how to remove them

cheers
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1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500

[Nic Jarman]

I think it is easier from underneath.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

[Finch661]

hey all, i finally managed to get round to fitting the starter ( what a PITA). it turns over great, even on a partially charged battery.

now just need to get the car running
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1985 Mini Mayfare (1275)
1976 Mg Midget 1500