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Triumph TR6 - My Mystery.. Won't Start

OK...

Backed car into garage and was running fine..
Went out to go for a drive and it wont start now..
thought it was battery, took it to a store had battery check is 100%

Where do I start. I have put multimeter across battery cables (without battery cables connected) and when i turn key the circuit completes.

Is it starter or solinoid and how do I check?
B. C. Wilson

Hi,
You don't mention if there is any sounds when you turn the key ? Clicking can indicate the solenoid is engaging the starter but the starter has failed, If no sound then it could be from the ignition to the solenoid..assuming your battery is good and charged.
Charlie
Charlie B.

You could just (?) take the starter out and have your friendly parts store or shop check it. If it tests good, you've wasted your time and energy though (bench testing at least gives you a good idea of the condition). At least it happened in your garage, you must have good LBC karma. You could jump around the solenoid to check it on the car. Be careful.
Tom

Thanks... Will try taking starter out
No click...
No nothin...
B. C. Wilson

Check the rest of the battery terminal connections. Sounds like the classic dirty battery terminal syndrome. Everything works until you hit the starter then nothing! Been there done that. Check both ends of the battery leads and clean properly, clean the terminals. If the battery leads are suspect consider changing them!

I had the same issue a number of times when I lived in Ottawa (damp climate and salty winter roads) Good luck.

SID
Sid Turner

Before you remove the motor, bridge the main terminals on the solenoid briefly to make sure you are getting power to the motor, or if it has the earlier one It will have a button between the terminals that when pressed will actuate the starter
Clive P

Clive,
Tell me about this button. How early and where is it located?
db
Doug Baker

BC,

Pull the white/red wire off the starter solenoid. With the key off, transmission in neutral, and the hand brake on, connect the terminal that you just removed the w/r wire from directly to the positive post of the battery with a short piece of wire.

What happens? If the starter turns over ok, you have a wiring problem and should get back with us for more help (please identify the year - that helps a lot for trouble shooting).

If nothing happens, you have a starter or solenoid problem, and will need to take them in to a shop for repair.

If the starter spins but is sluggish, you may just have some bad connections in the power wiring to the starter, or it could be the starter/solenoid is/are defective.

Replace the w/r wire.

If I may be so bold, you might want to get a copy of my book on TR6 electrical repairs. see http://members.aol.com/danmas6 for info.
Dan Masters

Doug My car is 74 and has It, Not many people realise that there is a overide button on the solenoid as the rubber cover has usually perished or gone hard, It is located directly between the terminals on the actual solenoid itself, press it hard though and make sure it is out of gear! It does not turn the ignition on though so unless you have the key turned on It will not fire up.
Clive P

Thanks Clive, that's good to know. I'll check my 71.
db
Doug Baker

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2005 and 15/04/2005

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