riddle me this if you can

my starter motor has decided to go all yes, no, maybe depending on the mood it is in, ie sometimes just a click sound and no action and other times, turns over, but how come I can get her going by using a screwdriver to arc across the 'solenoid' thingy where the battery cable and starter motor lead meet?

this on top of it still wanting to go too well when cold too is doing my head in

cheers

I had a similar problem, and it turned out to be the battery. It wasn't dead, but it just barely worked. Replaced it with a brand new one and went back to starting first go, and running better just after starting.

May or may not have anything to do with what you are experiencing.

the solenoid is likely to be buggered if that's the case

hmm, ta for that

are they serviceable or is it better to just get a relpacement? and if so, anyone got a spare for sale please?

took it to Graeme Lord who tested the solenoid - yep buggered!

he wanted $5 for a 2nd hand replacement - gonna put it on this evening

cheers again for the help

Just a little note about the solenoids on the automatic cars that most people will not know or probably won't believe, the push button solenoid is fitted with a solid cap over the push button.
This is to prevent accidental starting of the motor while it is in gear from under the bonnet.

Also while you are at it SteveOB, you should spend some time and clean up all your
connections & earths around your starter motor, solenoid and battery. Just take each fitting off one by one and give it a rub with either some emery paper or a wire brush .
You can get some aerosol spray products to coat the connections with to protect them to, if you so desire ( just a thought , not totally necessary ).

But please before you do any of this , disconnect the battery first , ( don't need any unwanted flame - ups .

If replacing the solenoid, I found the one in a green Lucas box is more reliable than the `Echlin' lookalike copy. After 4 weeks my Echlin wouldn't work when the motor was hot- so I took it back and swapped for a Lucas. There was only a couple of bux price difference anyhow.
That was ~10 years ago... and the `Lucas' is still good.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Echlin just buy bulk lots from any manufacturer they can, Its very likely that one batch of echlin products could be of completely different origin mere weeks apart. Just there business model which makes it hard to lump them into good or bad its really luck of the draw.

As always you are best buying from someone that owns the factories and doesn't just give the work to the lowest bidder. I.e. bosch etc

is that for real? my Mini-Matic won't start unless in neutral, so if in gear and i start using the solenoid screwdriver method it will lurch forward? - I'll remember that!! - is the solid cap the black "plug" between the two bolts?

anyways, job done, I disconnected the battery yes, cleaned all elctrical points with emery paper and some electrical point spray I found in the garage and she kicked over nicely - I think with my carby/choke problem too, the solenoid might not have helped as with a bit of choke I got her going on the third go without having to resort to getting back under the bonnet and priming the carby!

also, for the life of me I do not know how any tall person works on a Mini - I'm a short-arse and my back is killing me after that! gonna need one of those medicinal beers for sure

thanks again for the online help !

Yep, if you leave it in drive and short the solenoid it can run you over!

Ahh, you have the later solenoid. It is made without a button. It is safe for automatics.
With that type if it was going to have a button it would be where that black plastic lump is.

well after she rolled out the garage and down the steep driveway, there's no way I'm being bitten twice! wheels are well chocked, and handbrake clicked to to the max when working on the Mini these days

In reference to your "tall people working on minis", the best trick is a set of ramps, puts the car at working height, and only takes 2 minutes to put it up.

try being tall "&" having spina bifida "&" working on minis for over 45 years

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

If i'm going to do anything on mine in the engine bay for an extended period of time,
i'll put it up on 4 car stands to make it easier, and i am a short ar$e .