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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Starter Motor Refurb

Having cranked the Sprite for quite sometime to get oil pressure, the aged starter gave up the ghost, I have been told about these people - https://www.cjfrotating.co.uk/ has anybody used them ?

Thanks
Mal
Malc Gilliver

Mal
What actually happened to the starter? Did it pack up altogether, go noisy, jam or fail to engage?
Bill Bretherton

Hi Bill,

I turn the key, the solenoid clicks, the starter goes clunk and if I keep the key turned I get smoke of the wiring, the starter doesn’t turn at all.

I have removed the starter to make sure it wasn’t jammed into the flywheel, and to make sure everything would spin ok, I haven’t bench run it as don’t have the guts 😂😂

Mal
Malc Gilliver

Mal
If you have a decent bench vice and some jump leads, you could test it or just put it on garage floor or drive with your foot on it to quickly test it. Could have a short in the armature or field windings or might just be defective brushes or a loose terminal. The older Lucas starters seem to be better than the aftermarket stuff you get now (although I have the latter). Worth rescuing if possible.
Bill Bretherton

There’s a couple of interesting videos from John Twist at Uni Motors about the starter.

Sure one of his was smoking!

I watched them before stripping mine, cleaning it all and putting it back together.

Like Bill says worth having a look. Luke be a simple short circuit
James Paul

Thanks James, I had forgotten about Uni Motors, I have taken the plunge and got a refurbed one fron CJF - £60 plus VAT, the inertia teeth were damaged as well and I am desperate to burn my bald spot before the year is over, but they will also take the partial starter I have as a surcharge- no back plate and no bendix, so I will get that done aswell, when the next starter expires I will have the luxury of a spare on the shelf and time to faff !

Mal
Malc Gilliver

This thread was discussed between 28/08/2023 and 30/08/2023

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