MGF Starter motot problem!?!?!?

Question

Hi used my mgf yesterday, came back gor an hour and went to go out again and it would not turnover....zilch....nothing. Not the battery because my lights, fans, music work e.t.c and after doing abit of research its poiting toward starter motor (or a lead connecting to it). havent got homestart on my breakdown cover so im stranded! on the net theres lots of bizarre sounding suggestions.....hit the starter motor with a hammer....... jolt the car forward and back to get it started.... Anyone had a similar prob ? would appreciate any help......thanks!!!!

Answer 1

not even any clicks??....

jack up the car,or leave where it is if you can get to the starter...starter is in 2 bits the solinoid[small tubulat bit]...and the main motor itself...when turning on the ignition and the srarter switch itself[get a freind to urn it]..youll need a multi meter to check there is powergetting to the solinoid...when starting the car the solinoid [fast switching relay] shourt outthe main starter mottor contacts and spins the engine...if the solinoid isnt getting power then it wont start,if it is getting power the remove the wires 1 at a time sand clean and reattach....try again...if nothing then there are 2 large nuts on the rear of the starter solinoid.there power the motor....make sure the ignition is on,and the car is in nuteral...get a14mm spaner and u need to bridge the 2 large bolt contacts at the rear of the solinoid...just them,make sure you dont toutch earth...now when you bridge the two contacts it WILL SPARK...dont be frightend it wont do any harm..depending on the starters design it will either spinn or start the engine.....

basically what your doing  it finding out which bit of the starter is at fault....

if whenyou try and start theres no clicks at all then its either a bad wiring contact on the solinoid or its buggerd...

if it clucks then its either the 2 big bolt connections need cleaning or the motor is buggerd...

hope this helps.

Answer 2

They are quite right to suggest a tap with a hammer, but it is not a long-term answer...  You either have a battery problem, an alternator problem (which can cause a battery problem!) or a starter problem.  Usually, the solenoid (electrical switch) is the problem on a starter-motor.  Often the connections to it are spammed and burnt-out because of the high current they carry, and on a mid-engined car like yours, heat doesn't help!

First try getting a new set of terminals from your local car spares shop, to renew the connection on the big positive lead to the starter.  Disconnect the battery, and cut the cable back and fit it, there should be enough slack to do this a couple of times!  Check your car isn't missing a heat shield which has made this a bigger problem than it was...

  You should be able to push start the car.  Select 2nd gear, make sure nothing is in front of you, turn the key to show gauge readings, push start, and bang the clutch in!  Varrooomm!

Answer 3

Hiya Lucie, usually a push start should do it, if it's just locked. These forums below are brilliant for any problems. I've been on them many a time when I had a Rover. Good luck!

Answer 4

it sounds like your starter. if you keep trying to turn it over and you hear clicking, its not catching, it may be your starter. be careful though because youll over work your battery if you keep trying to turn it over  i had the same problem with my f 250. it cost me about 100 dollars for a new starter. if not it may be your alternator. have them checked out.