Battery 'fairly new' counts for nowt, I'm afraid, BT, DT. Before you go
ripping in to the starter I would do some tests. First, does the ignition
warning light dim right down when you try to crank and it doesn't? If so
that could be battery or some of the heavy-current connections. If it stays
bright then it is either the engine/transmission ground strap (do the
accellerator and heater cables get hot?) or the motor/solenoid.
If the warning light dims you need to check the voltage right on the battery
posts (not the clamps) and if this drops right down when it won't crank then
the problem is almost certainly the battery. If the battery voltage doesn't
drop then measure the volt-drops in the hot and ground circuits as follows:
Connect the voltmeter between the hot battery post (not the clamp) and the
hot post on the solenoid. During cranking this should ideally be in the
order of 1/4 to 1/2 of a volt. If more than 1 volt it shows bad
connections. Do the same between the battery ground post and the body of
the motor.
However bear in mind that if there is something physically stopping the
starter motor turning then even though the battery and connections are sound
you will still get a significant volt-drop at the battery, more ao than
during normal cranking.
----- Original Message -----
From: "N" <twobees@sprynet.com>
To: "MG Digest" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 3:10 AM
Subject: Strange Intermitent Electrical Problem
> 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?
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