It sounds like a starter that needs some reconditioning. Under load of
starting you may not be getting enough torque. It IS possible, in fact
likely, to hit some of the same spots on the armature. (Remember the
engine will normally come to rest on one of 4 spots corresponding to the
max compression on each of the 4 cylinders). However, I would open it up
and have a look. My guess would be brushes that are worn to the point
that they no longer make good contact with the commutator.
Regards,
Lew Palmer
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net] On
Behalf
> Of N
> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 9:11 PM
> To: MG Digest
> Subject: Strange Intermitent Electrical Problem
>
> The recent thread about electrical shorts reminds me -
>
> For the last 6 or 8 months, I've had this problem with starting. Had
it
> two
> days in a row a few weeks ago. Came out after work & turned key to
start
> &
> starter cranked engine about 1-1/2 turns slowly before quitting.
Second
> try
> didn't even get one full turn. Where I park I was able to easily roll
> down
> hill & jump it. Instant starting. Tonight it did it again. But this
> time
> it wasn't in the parking lot at work, it was on the main drag with no
> hill.
> I tried pushing to jump it, but couldn't get enough speed. (No
Wheaties
> this morning.) After 4 tries at cranking, and getting less starter
power
> at
> each try, I called my wife to bring a tow rope. After completing my
call
> I
> tried one more time. (About 1 minute after previous attempt.) It
cranked
> over heartily about 3 turns & started right up. Called the wifely
towwer
> &
> got her before she had left home. But, indeed have a puzzle on my
hands.
>
> Now, here's the situation: the battery is fairly new, no corrosion on
the
> cables, all connections tight, including starter connections,
alternator
> putting out 14 v, circuit cut when I park via race-necessary shut-off
so
> no
> battery drain through any kind of short. If it were a bad section on
the
> starter armature, wouldn't the chance of coming back to the same spot
on 4
> or 5 tries be almost impossible?
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Norm Sippel
> '66 MGB - occasionally reluctant
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