Robert,
Success! I think...
I set the key in the ON position, took a piece of heavy wire and jumped the
solenoid. The starter motor ran - it would have started the car if I held
the connection long enough (someday I will get a more efficient starter).
SO, it seems my solenoid is shot. I will
attempt to get it out of the car and open it up.
In the meantime, it appears that the solenoid is the same as used on the
late-model Spitfire, and Moss Motors has it listed as part # 131-505, for 18
bucks...but it is unclear if they have got it or not.
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=33035
As I live 10 minutes from their NJ facility I will have to call them in the
AM tomorrow and se if they've got the thing. I may make it to the "A Touch
of England" show after all - if it doesn't rain!
Thanks,
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From "Robert D. Gardner" <rdgard at pacbell.net>
To: <midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 7:58 PM
Subject: Re: [midgetsprite] Re: clean, but dead
> So, if you take a heavy wire or a screwdriver (factory approved LBC
> tool) and short around the starter solenoid, the car will start (meaning
> crank over and actually start and run) ? If that is true, then the
> problem seems to be the solenoid. I have never seen one from a 1500.
> Can you take it off? It is dead anyway. Look at it and see if you can
> take it apart. They are very simple. A small coil of wire around a
> iron core creates an electromagnet when hit with low current 12 volts.
> It pull in the core and there by pulling in a contact that can carry
> large current from the battery to the starter motor. So, when you apply
> 12 volts to the input side, you should hear a "click" when the magnet
> pulls in. If no click, then either you are not getting 12 volts to the
> coil (most likely), or the winding on the coil has a broken wire (very
> un-likely). If you are really getting 12 volts to the coil, then you
> must open up the case and try and find the broken wire on the coil.
> Solder it and it should work again.
>
> If it does click in but no current flows from the heavy battery terminal
> to the starter motor terminal, then the battery cable is bad, the
> connector is loose or corroded, the contact points inside the solenoid
> are corroded (very unlikely) or the cable from the solenoid to the
> starter motor is bad (or the connectors) or the starter motor is bad.
>
> Check with a volt meter if you have 12 volts on the heavy cables and use
> a jumper to see if the starter motor really spins when you apply 12
> volts directly to the starter.
>
> Have another beer and let us know what you find. This is so much
> fun!!!!!!!
>
> Good luck
>
> Bob in San Diego
>
> Steven Michelsen wrote:
>
> > Here is where I am at with my power-washed, non-starting '78
> > Midget...
> >
> > - I believe that I did not get anything beyond the firewall wet.
> > - I opened the dist and found it to be clean and dry.
> > - The battery is secure and the conections are clean
> > - I cleaned every connection on the solenoid and the coil, and some
> > misc
> > in-line fuses.
> > - I used a test light and determined that there is 12 volts getting as
> > far
> > as the IN side of the solenoid (heavy brown cable from the battery)
> > but,
> > while my son held the key in the "start" position, I found there is no
> >
> > voltage on the OUT side of the solenoid (heavy black cable going to
> > the
> > starter motor).
> >
> > Is my solenoid shot? Can it be opened up and dried out, or is it just
> >
> > toasted, or, is there an element I am missing? And, where can I buy
> > one?
> > Moss motors doesn't seem to have one for the 1500 Midget.
> > http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29336#41
> >
> > Thanks for your help and suggestions so far!
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Robert D. Gardner" <rdgard@pacbell.net>
> > To: <midgetsprite@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 10:37 PM
> > Subject: Re: [midgetsprite] Re: clean, but dead
> >
> >
> > > Setve,
> > >
> > > Don't panic, it was not a terrible idea, just a bit of a problem for
> > the
> > > moment. Have a beer and cool your jets. The solution is simple. I
> >
> > > just don't know what it is yet but rest assured it is simple. There
> >
> > > now, feel better? As long as it drove after the wash, you know that
> >
> > > nothing is broken. Just a little corrosion on a contact somewhere.
> > > Because the starter switch and the flashing the headlights don't
> > work,
> > > did you pressure wash around the key or flasher area? At first
> > blush,
> > > it sounds like a fuse problem. If not a blown fuse, perhaps a fuse
> > with
> > > a little corrosion on the contacts. Try and remove each fuse and
> > shine
> > > up the contacts a little and put them back and make sure the spring
> > > contacts press tight enough to make a good connection. Jumper the
> > > starter solenoid is a good idea. When you turn on the key, is the
> > > ignition hot? I mean, can you bump start the car? That would mean
> > the
> > > the starter motor only is not turning. Do you have a meter or test
> > > light? start at the Bat and go down the line checking for power
> > until
> > > you find the place where you should have it and it is not there.
> > That
> > > is where to start.
> > >
> > > Good luck and let us know.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Bob in San Diego
> > >
> > > Jay Shaffer wrote:
> > >
> > > > I would start by trying to jump the solenoid with a remote
> > starter.
> > > > Sounds like the problem is in the starting circuit.
> > > > --
> > > > Jay Shaffer
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Monday, June 9, 2003, at 03:48 PM, Steven Michelsen wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Well, I think I win the "I knew I probably shouldn't have done
> > that"
> > > >
> > > > > prize for the day.
> > > > >
> > > > > Last week I power washed the engine on my '78 1500. I proceeded
> > to
> > > > > drive it for about 20 minutes, after I cleaned the engine.
> > > > Everything
> > > > > was fine.
> > > > >
> > > > > Today I go to start it up - turn the key - nothing. No
> > clicking,
> > > > > nothing. I find that the lights work, and the brights, but I
> > cannot
> > > >
> > > > > flash the brights. I can also hear the whine of the fuel
> > pump. I
> > > > > look under the hood and check every connection - everything
> > looks
> > > > good
> > > > > with the exception of one yellow wire coming from the drivers'
> > side
> > > > > firewall, just hanging - but I think that is a remnant of my
> > > > > disconnected electronic ignition (a PO did that). All the fuses
> >
> > > > look
> > > > > good.
> > > > >
> > > > > Where on earth do I begin here?
> > > > >
> > > > > Steve
> > > >
> > > >
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