Dodgy solenoid on 79 bay ???

Hi , my 79 bay has the occasional problem when I come to start it, every now and again when I turn the key the 2 red idiot lights dim but nothing else ..? If i try it again sometimes she fires straight up other times it still wont fire and just get dim lights. I have found that if this happens and I put it in gear and turn the key with the clutch up it "jumps" it into life and im back in the game.. Does this sound like a dodgy solenoid ??
any advice is most welcome by this novice
cheers

 

Yep sounds exactly like a dodgy solenoid. I had the same problem on a '79 bay recently. I took it to a local place that refurbs starter motors and generators and it cost £20 to fix. Loose connections in the end of the solenoid

 

thanks guys ill get the wire brush out !!!

 

By all means make sure your earths are all good, but a new solenoid at 20 quid or less would be the iceing on the cake.
Tony

 

you can also use araldite around the connections