pirate Posted October 24, 2018 Report Share Posted October 24, 2018 Hi I bought a new starter solanoid off eBay was listed for Land Rover, triumph etc. Fitting it today it has an extra spade terminal sited directly under the starter signal spade, on the listing it shows the extra terminal as power while starting. as it's wired now with nothing going to this extra terminal it just clicks starter not engaging. I have messaged the seller today he asked for a photo of the old solanoid but not had any further response. any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Faulds Posted October 24, 2018 Report Share Posted October 24, 2018 Check leads to starter clean and tight and check engine earth. Could that terminal be for dynamo or alternator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 Extra terminal is for a car fitted with a ballasted coil, so it gets the full 12V supply during cranking for a big fat spark. But just not needed on an unballasted coil ignition. If the terminals are connected good and tight etc, you can check with a meter or test lamp to see if the solenoid is actually connecting the 2 screw terminals when the key is turned, but assuming you don't have a flat battery (check headlights are good and bright, and if they dim down when you turn ignition key) the new solenoid if duff. But why did you change the solenoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 Put a bulb across the starter motor itself. Does it light when you try to crank? If it does, your starter motor is dead. If not, you've got a wiring issue or a dud solenoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate Posted October 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 1 hour ago, clive said: Extra terminal is for a car fitted with a ballasted coil, so it gets the full 12V supply during cranking for a big fat spark. But just not needed on an unballasted coil ignition. If the terminals are connected good and tight etc, you can check with a meter or test lamp to see if the solenoid is actually connecting the 2 screw terminals when the key is turned, but assuming you don't have a flat battery (check headlights are good and bright, and if they dim down when you turn ignition key) the new solenoid if duff. But why did you change the solenoid? Thanks for the replies will check all connections again I have a test meter. The car is stripped down for restoring I had been moving it about as the engine is still in, the old solanoid had a starter button I had been having problems and found that the only way to start it was using the button but was hit and miss as it was damaged around the button. Ive checked all the wiring with the wiring diagram thought it might be the ignition switch but as the new solanoid is clicking it must be ok. as you say I will check with the meter that power is coming out the other side to the starter motor, I'm thinking it could be a duff solanoid might put the old one back and try that before buying another one. Thanks again electrics are always frustrating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 Easy to test the starter jump the big terminals with an old screwdriver it shouls with a few sparks cire the starter motor If the solenoid is clicking and the above works then its sort of working if the stater doesnt kick in then poor battery poor cables earths Or duff new solenoid Check ...the solenoid does need its case having a good earth Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate Posted October 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 Thank again guys. I have checked everything and did the screwdriver test, car turns over so looks like a duff solenoid checked for output voltage with meter not getting anything just clicks. will order another might be worth getting one with a start button? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Faulds Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 start buttons dead handy if working on an engine and want to start it from the engine bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 The modern replacement has the button but it doesnt depress . check out the photo of my spare Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate Posted October 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 Found one with a button should be here in a couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 25, 2018 Report Share Posted October 25, 2018 I've had a couple of the button type solenoids fail with "weak coil" - they would still click when energised but not make the heavy duty contact, but pressing the button would turn the engine over. Presumably the non-button ones fail the same way, it's just that you can't press the button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 The solenoid arrived today, fitted It and car turns over fine :) got a start button on It so that should help when I'm working on the next item, fitting an electronic distributor. The joys of owning a Triumph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Hi. Related question I think. If the supply to the starter/earth is dodgy, can jump leads be clipped direct to starter from battery to crank?. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Hi Dave, you can connect jump leads from the battery direct to the starter even if it is off the car. A few sparks maybe but it should turn over. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 30, 2018 Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 I always thought the solenoid connectors a bit exposed so I bought some of these, a couple of big red ones. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BATTERY-TERMINAL-STUD-COVERS-POSITIVE-NEGATIVE-RED-BLACK-INSULATED-POS-NEG/301941577137?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D54807%26meid%3D0dc35fd7e1014dc490cbb350c1e7135b%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D301941577137&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226 Doug 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Those covers are a good idea but I found they don't cope too well with the huge clump of brown wires piled up behind the battery cable on my Spitfire's solenoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 My original ones I had to slit the back ends to get them over the wires. The wires are covered anyway so a little exposure there doesn't matter, it's the bare metal terminals need covering. I once dropped a pair of pliers which shorted the solenoid and fired the starter motor, you couldn't do it if you tried. (Always disconnect the battery before working on the engine!) And that's why I have this paranoia. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 seen that with a metal watch strap . the smell of burning hair and flesh is pretty unpleasant didnt do the watch much good either pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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