Hi, just pulled over at a shop, jump back in and go to start and nothing... The two red lights on the dash are on, turn the key to start and nothing... I've been underneath it something is clicking but difficult to say if it's coming from the starter motor or elsewhere... There's been no historic problem with the starter motor before. Can they jam? It doesn't sound like it's even trying to turn though... There's signs of oil coming from the bell house around where the starter motor joins, and it was overfilled, filled up on a slope but didn't think it was too bad until I measured it on the flat, was probably over filled by about 10mm, could oil somehow fill up the bell housing and get into the starter motor?!... Clutching at straws... Just waiting for it to cool down so I can take it off and inspect it or at least try and take it off, not done it before, it's not an engine out job is it? Any help much appreciated whilst I try and keep the missus happy with gin and ham sandwiches...
Take the wire off the starter solenoid that has the spade connector and if you have a tester see if it comes live when you turn the key to the starting position. If not your problem lies with the wire to the ignition or the ignition barrel itself. It may just start again in a few minutes when its cooled.
^^^^^^ As above... I typed this during the post apppearing... above will defo answer the questions below Right then a couple of standard questions, any problems before stopping? Is the battery charged? (When you turn the ignition do the two instrument panel lights go out? Does the click sound appear when the ignition key turns the two instrument panel lights on? Are the wires on the starter motor loose?
The clicking if it's as you turn the key to on position will be the auto chokes if you've got std solex carbs. If it cicks when you try to start it and the dash lights dim then starter is stuck, hit it with a hammer or rock it back and forward in gear, with the ign off.
She's going.... Lead from the positive to the spade on the solenoid did the trick. Cheers guys! Common problem I see after searching through the posts... For future fix The gen/oil light along with the cabin light dimmed when trying to start, what does this mean? Assume it means the ignition switch is good but wiring bad??
The dash lights dimming may also a be a sign the battery is not as good as it once was or the clamps are loose or an earth strap is coming off.
I know nowt about electrics, but I'd always assumed the lights when dim when you turned the key because the starter solonoid was trying to draw current?
Yep mine does that sometimes even when cold - starter motor stuck on a duff portion of the commutator - rock it in gear usually works as @Flakey says
