The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi I have a 1980 Dolomite 1300. I was out for a 20min drive today. Stopped for about an hour. When I went to restart her I got nothing when I turned the key. The lights were lit in the speedo and the seatbelt light and brake lght were lit but nothing else. No clicking or anything. She started with a push. Got home and same again when I stopped to put her in the garage. Same lights on and nothing when the key was turned. She started with a push and I put her in the garage. Turned her off and she started fine when I turned the key.
This lights on and nothing else happened to me once before but she started on the second attempt that time.
Your advice will be appreciated.

First thing to check is the connections on the starter are secure and clean, if your trying to start the car with the lights on your going to drain some of the current away from the starting circuit also so maybe try with the lights off next time to see if that helps, also check the battery connections are nice and tight and your earth strap is also secure ( sometimes they need removing and a wire brush used around the connection to clean off any rust ) and finally is the battery holding a charge ( test with a volt meter ), finally it could just be the solenoid on the starter sticking

Larry 1300 wrote:I got nothing when I turned the key.

Lol

No click means the starter solenoid - remove the terminals and give them a good clean and refit. Follow the red lead from the battery as it goes to the solenoid.


Paul.

Hi she started first time today. I did everything as suggested, even left the lights off.
I cleaned all off the earths. I cleaned the battery connections and the starter connections. I cleaned all of the connections and fixings on the solenoid. The connection to the solenoid which is joined by a brown wire was a bit furry. So let me know if there is anything else that you would advise.

Youve covered most of it I would say, however it may be worth checking the Multi plug under the bonnet too. This plug I believe on an OHV engine is on the pass side of engine bay and 2 thick red wires go to it. The other side of the connector will have a "loop" so the red goes in through the plug across to the other side of the plug into the loop and back out again into the first plug. Its a bad connection waiting to happen. Its there to interrupt the starter wire when an auto box is fitted with an inhibitor switch. Triumph decided to keep the looms consistent they would add this thing of beauty to catch us out later

HTH

Tony

Hi Laurence, I'll give you a text and if you want I will take a run up and see if there's anything I can do to help. Like I said before don't hesitate to get in touch if you need help.

David

Hi I was wondering if there was anything that I could do to get her going again at the roadside if this was to happen again. A guy suggested to me that I could use a screwdriver to bridge the poles on the solenoid and this would get the car started without having to push it. Please let me know if this is good advice.
Hi thanks David. Hopefully she will be fine now but I will let you know.

Your best bet in the event of a starter failure is to turn on the ignition and try a push start in a high gear.

Then diagnose why your starter is disfunctional. You can bridge the solenoid terminals as described but it will leave weld
marks on your screwdriver and cause a few sparks so not recommended. I'd prefer a jump lead to battery plus myself.

Jonners

Larry 1300 wrote:Hi I was wondering if there was anything that I could do to get her going again at the roadside if this was to happen again. A guy suggested to me that I could use a screwdriver to bridge the poles on the solenoid and this would get the car started without having to push it. Please let me know if this is good advice.
Hi thanks David. Hopefully she will be fine now but I will let you know.

Don't even think about it!

If it turns out to be the starter then your best bet is to change it for a recon unit

There is one other thing that could be causing this problem. It is the ignition switch not making the starter circuit contacts every time due to wear or dirt. I have had this happen. To get round the problem while I was waiting for a replacement I removed the switch from the lock and then used to turn the switch mechanism using a piece of wood shaped to fit into centre moving section of the switch. I think it worked because it turned the centre section just a bit further than it moved when it was attached to the lock mechanism.

I have cut slots in the security screws that hold the ignition lock in place as this is not something I would want to do on the roadside and for safety it is best to remove the lock while the switch is disconnected from it.

Hi thanks for that.
How does " I'd prefer a jump lead to battery plus myself." work please Jonners?

Larry 1300 wrote:Hi thanks for that.
How does " I'd prefer a jump lead to battery plus myself." work please Jonners?

Carefully attach a jump lead to positive, and touch the small wire on the starter. Remember the whole block and the body of the starter are grounded, so be accurate. Screwdriver in the end of the jump lead can give a more accurate poking tool - use one you dont like much..

Steve