Starter problem

[TGJR]

I am having trouble with the starter motor on my 1964 Cooper S. It will only spin the engine for a couple of seconds (not enough to start the car cold) and then disengages and just 'whizzes'.

If I have the ignition off and use the started button on my solenoid the starter spins the engine continuously. Any ideas what this might point to?

[Peter Laidler]

I'd say that it was a failure within the solenoid part of the starter solenoid - if that makes sense. By pressing it manually with your finger, you are effectively by-passing the defective electric start part.

[Polarsilver]

agree with Peter also you get the wizzes .. check your Battery is up to scratch .. also check the earth strap engine to subframe is ok.& have you got 12v at the red/white trigger to start wire onto solenoid .. then you enter the minefield of where to get a good reliable starter solenoid & the best of luck with that subject .. let us know the outcome.
All assuming the bendix & starter ring is ok ,..If needed i also buy the Starter Motor from MS at the price charged its value for money

[e-type]

I would think it is the Bendix gear, that is thrown back, when the engine attempts to start.

This is quite normal, but very annoying.

[Smithmaps]

I have had the same problem, although starter button makes no difference.
Also changed the motor.
It has gradually got better, so I am wondering if its due to a new starter ring gear bedding in.
Has yours got a new ring gear too?

[BucksMk1]

It'd be worth checking the relevant wiring (that activates the solenoid) for volt drop (due to a resistive fault). Ideally, there should no greater than 0.5v lost when the circuit is loaded.

[Tim]

I had a similar problem on a lightened flywheel. The ring gear had been machined down and was quite thin. The engine usually stops in one of 4 positions so there are 4 points on the ring gear that always receive the spinning bendix gear, and they wear out first. Mine would engage for a moment then get flung out.

I tried a new bendix gear, but it was still happening. It was too much hassle to replace just the ring gear, which was so narrow it had to be welded on. I just replaced the whole flywheel with a good used one and the problem was solved.

Tim

[Spider]

Check the Bendix is clean and free.

[olddave]

Check the Bendix is clean and free.

Clean it with brake cleaner and don't lubricate it.

[Peter Laidler]

Let us all know what the problem was.

[Bob46320]

I don't suppose the ring gear had the wrong number of teeth ??

[Peter Laidler]

Another of these transient types........ Tells us of a problem, asks us what the answer is, gets a fair selection of answers/replies and guess what...

Yep, got it in one. No response or thanks so for all of our input, we never get to know what the answer was. Pisses me off to be honest

[CooperTune]

My dad (passed two years ago at 99) had a saying. Advise is worth what it cost you and I'm giving you this for free. I try to offer what little knowledge I have and never look back. Steve (CTR)

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

I had the same issue with my car.
I replaced it with one of these guys starters, and haven't looked back.

Not original, but extremely functional!

https://www.classiccarperformance.com/p ... 9482118925

[Spider]

Another of these transient types........ Tells us of a problem, asks us what the answer is, gets a fair selection of answers/replies and guess what...

Yep, got it in one. No response or thanks so for all of our input, we never get to know what the answer was. Pisses me off to be honest

Like they say Pete, takes all sorts. Thankfully,that is very much the minority. He'll pop his head up again at some point and you'll know to just scroll on past,,,,,

[haynes]

I also had same problem, new engine build with a lightweight flywheel. I spacered the starter out a tad with a couple of washers between the starter and the flywheel housing and that cured it. Ive now made up a spacer out of 5mm ally. 7mini parts in the US do adverise a starter motor spacer, (heres a link, although their website doesnt seam to display properl;y: https://www.7ent.com/products/spacer-sh ... 024-1.html).