>
> Now for my problem. I bought a new starter solenoid for the Spit 1500,
> because the old one broke a contract. Now the thing is sticking. Some
> days I keep in, turn the key and get nothing. Try the headlights... xero.
> So, I get out, tap the solenoid (on the fire wall on the Spit) and away
> she goes.
>
> Yesterday it did this to me on the lunch hour at the park. BUT ... not
> when I started it. Nope - it started fine and two minutes later the
> engine just cut out on the main road. I didn't think this could be the
> solenoid. It either moves over to the start the car or doesn't. However,
> I got out, tapped the solenoid and away we went.
>
> Last night I checked all the connections, grounds, etc., and it's all fine.
> It's not a thing you can take aprt, and I'll bet it;s just a little burr
> on something. Any suggestions other than replacement? You can't return
> electrical parts needless to say. Is there a dry lub I can try to get in
> there?
>
> Thanks netland! Have a great weekend.
>
> Chris Ball triumph@io.org
The starter solenoid switches power for the starter itself; nothing else.
Well, ballast resistor bypass, but we'll ignore that one. If, when it fails,
other things don't work (such as the headlights), then it ain't the solenoid.
It could be a bad battery ground cable/connection. Or, it could be a problem
with the main power feed into the car.
You must forgive me. I'm drawing an absolute blank on the exact configuration
of that vintage Spit power distribution. Somewhere between the positive post
of the battery and the top post of the solenoid will be a point where several
largish (10 and 12 gauge) brown wires connect. I think these brown wires
connect directly to the solenoid post, but this is in the era when Triumph was
doing a mid-cable spade tap. One of these brown wires, the one that feeds
power into the car (ignition and light switches), will be broken or have a
bad connection. Your task is to find this interminent open.
For a starting point, I would suggest opening the bonnet, locating the
brown wire tap-in, turn the headlights on, then slowly and carfully wiggle
each wire in turn. Watch the headlights (currently pointed at the ground)
for flicker. With enough poking and prodding, you should be able to narrow
down the trouble spot within a few cm's.
Randy
randy@taylor.infi.net
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