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Strange Intermitent Electrical Problem

To: "MG Digest" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Strange Intermitent Electrical Problem
From: "N" <twobees@sprynet.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 22:10:41 -0400
The recent thread about electrical shorts reminds me -

For the last 6 or 8 months, I've had this problem with starting.  Had it two
days in a row a few weeks ago.  Came out after work & turned key to start &
starter cranked engine about 1-1/2 turns slowly before quitting.  Second try
didn't even get one full turn.  Where I park I was able to easily roll down
hill & jump it.  Instant starting.  Tonight it did it again.  But this time
it wasn't in the parking lot at work, it was on the main drag with no hill.
I tried pushing to jump it, but couldn't get enough speed.  (No Wheaties
this morning.)  After 4 tries at cranking, and getting less starter power at
each try, I called my wife to bring a tow rope.  After completing my call I
tried one more time. (About 1 minute after previous attempt.)  It cranked
over heartily about 3 turns & started right up.  Called the wifely towwer &
got her before she had left home.  But, indeed have a puzzle on my hands.

Now, here's the situation:  the battery is fairly new, no corrosion on the
cables, all connections tight, including starter connections, alternator
putting out 14 v, circuit cut when I park via race-necessary shut-off so no
battery drain through any kind of short.  If it were a bad section on the
starter armature, wouldn't the chance of coming back to the same spot on 4
or 5 tries be almost impossible?

Any ideas?

Norm Sippel
'66 MGB - occasionally reluctant

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