Starter solenoid issues

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ozwaldinho

ozwaldinho

Member
Posts
14
Location
Costa rica
Hello!
I somehow managed to burn out the starter solenoid (I think) on my 76 s3 2.25 diesel.
There was lots of smoke and an electrical burning smell from that side of the bay when I reconnected the battery. I relaxed the battery, cleaned all terminals and made sure that everything was off and all wires taped up. Still, absolutely nothing when I turn the key.
So I bought a new solenoid and I’m trying to get the old one off but can’t get any purchase on the second nut (the one on the right as you look at it from the radiator end).
Any tips for this absolute newbie???
Thanks on advance!
 

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It looks like the thread is knackered on the right hand one. Does the new solenoid have those studs fitted? If so, just chisel or grind the old nut off.

Col
 
Colthebrummie said:
It looks like the thread is knackered on the right hand one. Does the new solenoid have those studs fitted? If so, just chisel or grind the old nut off.

Col
Click to expand...
I hadn’t even thought of that - good idea!! Yes - the new one has the same studs. It also has two blades for spade fittings whereas the old one only had one. Does it matter which one I plug into?
 
OK - so the starter solenoid is on and reconnected, I put the exhaust manifold and vacuum pipe (I think) back and then connected the battery.
Tested the battery just to be safe - all good at 12.51v - and then tried to turn it over. Nothing. Again. Not even a click.

The reason why I was replacing the solenoid was because after push starting it and draining the battery accidentally, I reconnected the battery and sparks flew from the neg terminal and there was a lot of smoke and a nasty electrical burning smell from that side of the bay. I recharged the battery after that, but it didn't hold a charge - so replaced it. I also cleaned up the alternator, replaced all of the connectors for the starter motor. Nothing. Not even a click. Verified that the electrics worked though - lights were good.

So then moved onto the solenoid - now replaced with a part from Rovers North - as I said above, all back together, all reconnected and not a sausage. The red 'charge' light shows when ignition is in position I or whatever it is.

So what's next? What am I missing? As I mentioned in my first post, this is my first Landy (my parents always had them) and I'm learning about car maintenance but by no means proficient yet.

TIA!
 
The first step is to double check all of the conections, battery terminals, earth etc. If they are all good, make up a length of wire and connect one end to the spade terminal on the solenoid and after making sure the gearbox is in neutral, connect the other end to the battery positive terminal. That should energise the solenoid and activate the starter. When that happens, remove the temporary wire from the positive terminal. If it doesnt, youre new solenoid might be duff. In your previous post, you said the new solenoid had two terminals, have your tried both of them?

Col
 
Funny you should say that @Colthebrummie - I have tidied the wire up with a connector.
However, after a few days of it working, even with the new workaround, the ignition is now no longer turning over the starter. I can put a screwdriver across the two terminals and start it that way but nothing with the key. No light coming on on the dash either. I remember reading somewhere about how the light is needed to complete the circuit - anything in that??
The connections look good on the back of the ignition itself- so what should I check next while I wait for my new solenoid??
 

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I would make a.jump wire from the ignition connector on the ign switch to the solenoid if it then turns over, it must be a bad connection or broken wire. Make sure you get the right ign connector though otherwise youwont be able to turn off the starter u til you turn the ignition fully off. If it turns over, you could replace the jump wire for a permenant one. If the ign light isnt coming on, the fault is probably at the switch

Col
 
It does seem like the solenoid is knackered. Only problem I have right now is that I can't find the same part - see the images. The starter solenoid/relay i have is thicker and screwed directly to the bulkhead, and the relays that I can find online are skinnier and have the right angle bracket. Will that one work??
 

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