Hi Denny - at this stage I would check the battery voltage at about 1500 rpm
with some load on like headlights, heater motor etc, you should see around
14v with a 10 amp load. If it is less than that you could have regulator,
slip ring or brush problems. Other than that I would just keep a closer eye
than usual on the light for a while.
Cheers,
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: 1979MGB <1979mgb@vixa.voyager.net>
To: <paul.hunt1@virgin.net>
Cc: MG list posting <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:57 PM
Subject: Re: Problem with starter motor?
> Paul,
>
> Since you did such a nice job with the John's post I thought I'd give you
> another question. I just got back from an 1800 mile round trip from MI to
> MN and back. Near the end of the trip - last few days I noticed the
> ignition light stayed on longer than before after starting. One day it
> would stay on until I increased the RPM for awhile (even though it was
> idling at 1000). The belt is tight so it doesn't appear its a slipping
> thing. Since I got back this appears to have gone away and the ignition
> light goes right off as soon as the engine starts.
>
> Is there anything going out that I should watch for or just the Prince of
> Darkness tricking me? (The alternator has less than 5k miles on it since
> being rebuilt in one of John Twists tech classes in Feb 99).
>
> If you can think of anything I'd really appreciate it.
>
> Denny
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: paul.hunt1@virgin.net <paul.hunt1@virgin.net>
> To: John Middlesworth <middlesworth@worldnet.att.net>; mgs@autox.team.net
> <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 2:33 PM
> Subject: Re: Problem with starter motor?
>
>
> >The ignition warning light acts as the 'primer' for the alternator to
start
> >charging. If that light is not working the alt is almost certainly not
> >being primed properly, and although they are usually self-exciting once
the
> >engine is revved to about 2000 rpm it is possible that the battery is not
> >being properly charged. Oh, and it should light when you first turn the
> >ignition on, i.e. before the turn the key to 'Start'.
> >
> >Watching a light e.g. interior light when you turn the key to 'Start'
will
> >tell you if the battery is flat or if you have bad connections in the
heavy
> >current circuit, but only a voltmeter on the battery posts (not the
> >connectors) will tell you which. However a broken engine or transmission
> >ground strap will affect cranking without dimming the lights. If it is
> >battery or connections there is usually enough power to elicit a 'clonk'
> >from the solenoid/starter, or possibly a chattering solenoid, unless the
> >battery is very flat/connections are very bad in which case you wouldn't
> get
> >bright headlights.
> >
> >Given the above it is probabably a failure in the start circuitry - the
> >ignition key puts out 12v on a white/red which operates the starter
relay,
> >which puts out 12v on a white/brown to operate the solenoid. The relay
> >operates with a click, and the solenoid with a much louder click. The
> relay
> >is usually high up on the RHS inner wing near the fuse-block.
> >
> >PaulH.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: John Middlesworth <middlesworth@worldnet.att.net>
> >To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
> >Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 1:12 AM
> >Subject: Problem with starter motor?
> >
> >
> >> I need help analyzing a problem. My 72 MGB suddenly refuses to start.
I
> >> can hear the fuel pump working and (perhaps) a single click from the
> >starter
> >> solenoid, but not a bit of movement of the flywheel. Here are the
> >relevant
> >> facts:
> >> 1. The headlights are bright enough to indicate a good charge on the
> >> battery.
> >> 2. The red ignition light on the dash which normally lights up when the
> >car
> >> is starting never lights.
> >> 3. In attempting to remove the starter motor I accidently hit a live
wire
> >> (battery not properly disconnected) and heard the starter gear whirl
> >around,
> >> so the motor's not entirely dead.
> >>
> >> Does it sound like I need a new motor, or perhaps a new solenoid, or
> >should
> >> I check something else?
> >>
> >> John Middlesworth
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
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