The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi Guys,

After some advice, all seems one step forward and two back at the moment with the Sprint, on the plus side I have brakes, but now no engine!

Went to start the car yesterday, nothing, no signs of life at all not even a click from the starter solenoid. Battery voltage was up at 12.47v. Earth checked and good. Checked voltage at Starter motor terminal (heavy gauge red wire), up at battery voltage. Checked ignition switch to solenoid wire (white with red stripe wire), measured at solenoid end of wire was only getting 4v when turning over. Replaced the crimp connector which was in poor condition, this then rose to 6v when ignition switch in cranking position. I then found a cut in the insulation of this wire, so have removed this section of wire (about a foot) and will solder in a replacement section next weekend. I have also measured battery voltage at the feed to the ignition switch (brown wires) and this was present and correct.

I have noticed when connecting the + battery cable I get no spark or 'crack' noise like I always remembered getting previously.

My feeling is possibly two faults - knackered starter/solenoid and lack of full voltage on the trigger wire. I wouldn’t have suspected the starter however back in February when I last started the car a few times, the starter was not 100% started the car maybe 7 or 8 out of 10 attempts. Also the lack of any spark when connecting the + terminal suggest something not right with the starter/solenoid.

Not looking forward to replacing the starter if that’s what it comes to, but needs must I suppose.

Thanks in advance for any tips,

Olie

When all else is healthy, a Sprint will bump start very readily when the starter motor is the issue, it barely has to be rolling before dumping the clutch. I know this as for several weeks I parked on slight inclines to avoid changing the starter during wet weekends when the car was my only and every day drive!

Changing a Sprint starter is not a big issue if you have the correct tools including a 3/8" drive 7/16" AF socket and a wobble bar extension. You use the ratchet between engine and radiator and to replace the top nut pack it into the socket with grease and feel it in (removal of blower motor can help get a finger onto the stud to aid this)

One reconditioned Sprint starter on the shelf in club spares.

xvivalve wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 1:37 pm When all else is healthy, a Sprint will bump start very readily when the starter motor is the issue, it barely has to be rolling before dumping the clutch. I know this as for several weeks I parked on slight inclines to avoid changing the starter during wet weekends when the car was my only and every day drive!

Changing a Sprint starter is not a big issue if you have the correct tools including a 3/8" drive 7/16" AF socket and a wobble bar extension. You use the ratchet between engine and radiator and to replace the top nut pack it into the socket with grease and feel it in (removal of blower motor can help get a finger onto the stud to aid this)

One reconditioned Sprint starter on the shelf in club spares.

Thanks Alun,

I just braved the rain and did some further troubleshooting. I flashed a piece of wire across the heavy gauge 12v feed to the starter and the exciter terminal feed from the ignition barrell, the starter turned over instantly. I then traced the wiring further back and found a link wire in a multiway plug (of the same colour white with red stripe) this cable had become wrapped around the lower steering uj, when I had been turn the wheel to get at the bleed nipples when sorting the brakes yesterday. I cleaned out the connector using a needle file on each connection and applied some electro-lube contact cleaner. As a temporary test I choc-blocked the old damage end of the exciter cable on and connected it to the starter, the car kicked over on the key!

Nice simple fix in the end, which is a result. I will bear in mind the club starter for future reference, I'm sure I will need one in the near future (I have the receipt for the one on the car it was a refurb unit fitted in 1993!)

Olie