Trench Rat

Well-Known Member
Gents, long time no post.

I had a few weeks away from driving my series due to work and a friend needing me on my days off for house building duties.

1)
I got in and turned the key, only to be met with the wind of the starter motor and not a starting landy. This has happened before a few times, normally i just try again and it fires normally.



Eventually it wouldn't engage the starter at all, so i removed the (newish and tested) battery, charged it overnight and then put it back in the following morning. Still no joy. I have electrics, my horn, lights and wipers are all good.

When turning the key i still got a click from the solenoid, still no joy.

I had work and came back to it the next week only to find that i stopped even getting the click. I tried bridging the contacts with a screwdriver and the starter spun up.



This wouldn't be a big issue for me as i'd just use the starting handle and sort it at some point...

There comes issue 2.

2)

I can't put her in gear! This has happened before and i resolved it within 20 minutes by jacking up the back, putting it in gear, clutch in and then turning the engine on with the key, slowly lifting the clutch and accelerating. I guess as if the clutch had stuck? Like i said, i've had and fixed that issue before.

I've recently topped up the gearbox oil. When switched off I can put it into reverse, 2nd and 4th. However it might be going into the others, just the throw feels very short.

However, as issue 1 persists, i cannot do so as starting it with the handle in gear would probably hurt a lot.



I'm assuming that it's a faulty solenoid, however with the starter only whirring when the contacts are bridged makes me think a cog isn't engaging?

I'm a little out of my depth for this and considering a mobile mechanic.

Any advice or help with this would be appreciated, really starting to get peeved now.
 
I'd pull the starter and check you still have good teeth all the way round the ring gear. If that's ok, fit a new starter? to avoid pain and save time?
 
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Seems obvious but this happened to me. Panic set in, and then I tried this. Clutch in, push the Red low Range lever all the way forward. Sometimes it pops into Neutral and then car won't go into normal gear.
 
Pretty sure I checked the low range lever. Will check again though.

Is a starter swap difficult? Annoyingly it’s on the road at the moment.

I’ll sort the videos in the morning!
 
Pretty sure I checked the low range lever. Will check again though.

Is a starter swap difficult? Annoyingly it’s on the road at the moment.

I’ll sort the videos in the morning!
Don't know how difficult it is?
Depends on accessibility, never done one.
Disconnect the battery first!
 
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Has synchromesh been working properly? Just wondering if you've got a broken spring blocking the movement somewhere. When I've had it it took a fair few minutes of gentle jiggling to dislodge it.
 
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Starting problem sounds like the voltage is low to the starter, check all the battery cables / terminals and engine earth. If you have the sort that clamp the cable in undo the screws pull the cable out, clean it and put it back. If you are feeling motivated solder them using a blowlanp. If there is a high resistsnce connection the starter accelerates slowly and doesn't kick the Bendix in. Could also be starter brushes or a dirty communtator. You have to tack the starter off and emery (very fine) the commutator, brushes are under £10 but a faff to change.
Re gears, I suspect it will sort itself out once the engine is turning.
 
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Hi All,

So i had the mobile mechanic i know around today, he's an ex landy owner too, he's saying he reckons the starter is knackered so he's recommended i buy one asap and he'll fit it Friday morning if it's here.

Is this one suitable for a 1968 petrol 2a with a 2.25/2286cc?

https://www.lrparts.net/rtc5225n-st...ries-2-2a-and-3-petrol-2-25-engines-only.html

If not can anyone recommend one?

@rob1miles re gears i reckon you're right, when starter is sorted, start her in gear and drive.
 
They look right, can you get one locally in case you have to exchange it? Keep the old one, they are easy to rebuild as a spare.
The two you have linked are not pre-engaged, so your solenoid should be on the bulkhead?
 
They look right, can you get one locally in case you have to exchange it? Keep the old one, they are easy to rebuild as a spare.
The two you have linked are not pre-engaged, so your solenoid should be on the bulkhead?
yeah the solenoid is on the bulkhead
 
Issue 2 had this on mine last week, in my case loose clutch master cylinder as lost a nut off one of the holding down bolts , needs a second person to watch MC move when pressing clutch pedal must have not tightened it up proper when replaced MC earlier this year
 

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