I'm having problems starting my 1967 MGB. For the past several
months when I switched on the ignition the car would occasionally not start,
and at those times I would notice a soft whining sound from the front
right of the car (just under, and anterior, to the dashboard). On those
occasions the car would start right up when I pushed the switch on the
solenoid. I thought the problem was the solenoid, but putting in a new
one hasn't corrected the problem. The problem has worsened: now the car
doesn't start at all, I no longer hear that strange whining sound, and
pushing directly on the solenoid switch doesn't start the car. The
ignition light goes on and I hear the fuel pump click when I turn the
switch, so at least that portion of the ignition switch works.
In addition to wondering what is going on I have the following
questions:
1. Is there anything between the ignition switch and the solenoid? The
wiring diagram shows nothing, but I wonder if there is some other switch
or relay. (and that may be the source of the problem)
2. What was causing that strange whining sound?
Dumb question #3. Under the dashboard on the far right side are two
metallic cylinders with what looks to be a hydraulic coupling. What is
it? (I could almost swear that the sound I heard came from there, but it
was hard to tell.)
Dumb question #4. Is there some obvious way to tell if this MG has
overdrive? The previous owner said it didn't have it, and I just assumed
that was true. However, the car has a toggle switch on the dash at the
spot where it should be.
Any help is appreciated. Please respond by email.
Randy Plant (rlplant@milton.u.washington.edu)
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