I need a solenoid for the starter (pre-engaged type) on the E. I begrudge spending £145 + VAT on a complete exchange unit when it's only the solenoid that's died!
The Lucas part no is 76476A. Should be £15-£20 or so. So far tried Holdens, Vehicle Wiring (Tom Hodgkiss) and Auto Electrical Supplies, all of whom have been good in the past at supplying obscure/obsolete parts.
Well, it's sort of stuck in the "in" position. Normally when the engine starts it will throw it out. This problem arose when turning over the engine post-rebuild with ignition off to get some oil around. Might well be OK during normal useage but I just don't like minor problems which could get much worse later.
If the Jag one is anything like the Triumph one, there will be a spring between the solenoid body and the fork end that the solenoid moves. it is supposed to disengage the starter. From what you say, you haven't tried to start the engine, you have just used the starter motor to turn it over.
Now supposing that the engine stopped on a compression stroke. There could be enough friction between the starter motor and flywheel teeth to resist the force of the spring. After all, the spring can't be too strong or the solenoid wouldn't be able to pull against it.
Before rushing off to buy bits or dismantle things, try putting a spanner on the crankshaft nut and turning the engine in the direction it normally runs and see if the solenoid disengages on its own. If it does, you should be safe enough starting the engine with it as it is.
If not, you are looking at the reasons why the spring doesn't release it
- broken spring, seized joint to fork, solenoid core fouling the tube it runs in from rust, dead insects, grease holding dirt, or misalignment. From what you are describing, you are looking for a mechanical fault, not an electrical one, and most of those should be fixable once you have worked out what is wrong. So you might solve it by taking the solenoid off and inspecting it.
If all else fails, try giving these a ring: Spa Vehicle Electrical Services
26, Green Park Mews, Bath, Avon BA1 1JD Tel: 01225 425504
They have been very helpful sorting out old Triumph bits for me, and they have an array of old reference books (they are two doors down from a classic car restorers, so know about old cars), so they might come up trumps for you.
I've only dismantled a couple of these things, but they were both pretty simple. The starter on my Reliant trike (don't laugh, it's a perfectly normal Lucas starter) also jammed in the "in" position. Once the solenoid was off (ten minutes on the Reliant, longer, I realise, on yours) it was dead easy to sort: pull it apart, clean out accumulated gunge in the bore, smear of copper grease, refit and it never gave trouble again.
No, all mechanical bits checked, it's definitely the "points" in the solenoid which have spread and shorted. It's a well and truly sealed unit with no possibility of getting inside to do what should be a pretty simple task.
Anyway, after much phoning around and calling in favours, a bloke called Ron in Newcastle has found a new one, still in original box, lurking under his workbench. Should be in the post today.
I've only dismantled a couple of these things, but they were both pretty simple. The starter on my Reliant trike (don't laugh, it's a perfectly normal Lucas starter) also jammed in the "in" position. Once the solenoid was off (ten minutes on the Reliant, longer, I realise, on yours) it was dead easy to sort: pull it apart, clean out accumulated gunge in the bore, smear of copper grease, refit and it never gave trouble again.
Ian
Sadly we did all that while the engine was out. Wouldn't the Reliant have been inertia rather than pre-engaged?
I've a sneaky suspicion that, assuming it's the same unit, the starter on a
4.2 jag (XJ6) is a Lucas 3M100, same basic unit is also used on the early (up to around 1985?) Rover V8 engines, so that may be a source for a solenoid? Badger.
I'd guess so too. Rimmer seem to have all the solenoids used on SD1s - so I'm surprised similar Jag specialists can't help. Incidentally, the SDI A/C alternator is the same as the XJ6 one too.
Can't actually remember. Nor is it listed in the W/S manual. I do know that when mine failed it wasn't listed in the Lucas cat. for my car. My local factor identified it. Think it's 75 amp rather than the standard 65 amp because of the condenser cooling fans.
Both. My Rebel is inertia; the Rialto was pre-engaged. Reliant were very good at re-designing things to take advantage of the cheapest thing in the Lucas catalogue...
Both. My Rebel is inertia; the Rialto was pre-engaged. Reliant were very good at re-designing things to take advantage of the cheapest thing in the Lucas catalogue...
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