Experience Dealership line mechanic on MG, Triumph, Jaguar for 15 years, Instructor in commercial mechanics school 2 yr. Product information manager for piston and valve manufacture, Instructor & hotline answer man for import car parts importer 15 yrs.
Organizations Associate member SAE
EAA member
Publications Import Car magazine
Education/Credentials ASE Master Auto with L-1 certification up to 2000
Question I have a 1974 TR6 that has been completely restored (or so I thought). This
winter I had the interior redone. The dashboard was taken off to be
restained. The car was brought back from where the work was done to my
garage, and everything worked fine (with the dashboard off). Several weeks
later, I got some time to put the dashboard back, but before I did that, I went
to start the car, but could not. No sound; the starter didn't turn at all. The
battery is fine, and putting out power, and various other connections are all
fine. The fuses are all fine. As far as I can tell, the wiring all seems fine -
including the white/red wire from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid.
Is there any way to check the solenoid other than trying to jump the car with
one cable attached to the hot connection and the other to the solenoid (which
sounds fairly dangerous, given the location of the solenoid)? Other ideas?
Answer Hi Jeff,
To test the solenoid you should confirm that the large battery cable on the solenoid has power, and that the engine is well grounded to the body and the body well grounded to the battery. Then put a test light (or volt meter) on the small pin that the white w/red tracer wire is on and have someone turn the key to the start position. If the solenoid clicks but the starter does not turn, move the test light to the large post on the solenoid that has the strap that is attached to the starter motor and have them try to start it again. If the solenoid clicked and that post gets power but the starter does not turn you either have a bad starter or the engine is locked up. If you never got a click from the solenoid to start with and you did the above tests of powers and grounds, then you have a bad solenoid.
Let me know,
Howard
