The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:39 pm

All times are UTC




Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:32 am 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:57 am
Posts: 669
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
This relates to a Sprint rolling shell I acquired back in 2010 and built up using standard engine and drivetrain from various different cars. I then fitted an 1850 auto and replaced the 2” SUs with standard set up back in 2013. Car has done 12500km in the 6 years since.

For some time I have had an issue with the starter that has recently got a lot worse. At random it seems, when trying to start the car, the starter motor makes a very loud metallic screaming noise as it turns, but doesn’t engage. After doing this a couple of times, it then works quite normally. Equally next time I turn the key it may or not work normally or make the screaming noise. It is loud and makes anyone nearby jump!

On occasion the starter may slow as if the battery is nearly flat, when in fact it is well charged.

Any thoughts please? I haven’t had a look a underneath as not sure what to either look for or test.

Geoff


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:54 pm 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:39 am
Posts: 516
My guess is the pinion is not engaging on the flywheel fully so the teeth are just spinning against the edge of it. Might be a bit sticky or a bad electrical contact/earth which would also explain why it is slow.

_________________
Russ Cooper
Dursley
UK


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:08 pm 
Offline
TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7014
Location: Highley, Shropshire
What Russ said ^^^^^^^

All the symptoms of a duff starter! But check the engine earths as well!

Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Sat May 25, 2019 7:37 am 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:57 am
Posts: 669
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Eventually got fed up with the noise and removed the starter. The face of the pinion had been worn back by at least 2mm and the end of each tooth was completely flat. I was surprised that the pinion was actually capable of engaging at all.

Found an old 1850 starter, stripped both down, cleaned and rebuilt the Sprint one using the 1850 pinion/lever mechanism that was almost like new. Just cleaning the solenoid seemed to improve its operation too. Then refitted the starter, but this time there was a screaming noise once I released the key. Obviously the pinion and ring gear were now touching all the time.

Out and back in using 2.5mm thick washers as spacers which fixed the issue.

I do remember reading somewhere that some models/versions required a spacer between the starter and the mounting plate but have never experienced this before.

Now working just as it should

Geoff


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 4:16 am 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:48 pm
Posts: 1635
Quote:

I do remember reading somewhere that some models/versions required a spacer between the starter and the mounting plate but have never experienced this before.



Geoff
it's the dolomite 1500 that is prone to needing various thicknesses of spacer.

_________________
Some people are like Slinky's, they serve no real purpose in life but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Sprint starter issue
PostPosted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:00 am 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:48 pm
Posts: 8446
Location: Winscombe, North Somerset, England
One of my Sprint restos had a spacer fitted. So I made a template in case any one wants to make one.

_________________
Sprintless for the first time in 35+ years. :boggle2: ... Still Sprintless.

Engines, Gearboxes, Overdrives etc. rebuilt. PM me.


1997 TVR Chimaera 450


Image


Top
   
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: djw113uk, Google, Trendiction and 25 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited