starter solenoid problems... please help!!

Hello All

Having some real annoying problems which i have put down to the starter solenoid on my series 3.

The starter motor runs continously even with the ignition key removed until the battery is disconected (i have a battery isolator) - at other times the starter does not turn at all when the key is turned and at other times it works fine.

The solenoid clicks when energised by directly attaching a wire from the +ve battery terminal. The solenoid appears to have no resistance accross the two main terminals, even when not energised. I have tried tapping the solenoid - to no avail.

I have changed the solenoid which seemed to solve the issue for a few months but now the same issue is back which leads me to doubt that it is a solenoid problem.

Any advice would be really appreciated - should I buy a 3rd solenoid or look elsewhere?

Thanks TheTuna

Did you replace it with a new solenoid? I would say that if it was okay for a while then it must be another solenoid problem.

have you checked you ignition switch

No resistance across the terminals when not energised sounds like a stuck solenoid. I presume it's the petrol one with the separate solenoid? You might have just been unlucky and fitted a second duff one.

Thanks all for the advice.

I will order a new solenoid and see what happens.

thetuna said:

Thanks all for the advice.

I will order a new solenoid and see what happens.

Click to expand...

Make sure you mount it correctly. (One side is up. Some solenoid types get stuck after some time if they are mounted at a too big angle, I think this one is such a type. Might be it...)