Starter help!

[gregtheo]

Hello everyone, I've just finished fitting a replacement 2L engine to my '78 TR7 but I cant get it to turn over.
Has someone got a clear diagram of where the wires go on the starter please? The starter relay is clicking but no life from the starter or the solenoid.

Problem is I didn't take a photo of where the wires went before I pulled the old engine out.

Any help would be great as I need the car running asap as its my daily drive!!

Thanks
Greg

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)

[gregtheo]

Right, have narrowed the problem down to no power on the ignition switch wire. I'm thinking possibly knackered starter relay?

Greg

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)

[Workshop Help]

Just for fun, is your battery fully charged and are the terminal posts clean? Don't forget the main ground next to the battery as well.

Mildred Hargis

[gregtheo]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Mildred</i>

Just for fun, is your battery fully charged and are the terminal posts clean? Don't forget the main ground next to the battery as well.

Mildred Hargis
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Battery came straight off the charger and into the car! Cleaned the terminals as well.
The engine turns over fine if I bridge the positive and the ignition terminal so I assume its the ignition circuit somewhere?

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)

[saabfast]

1. Check the connections as suggested above. Mine had a duff solenoid connection (the wire was green inside the spade connector and I got no more than a click at times). Cut back the cable and remade the connector and all was OK.
2. Try bridging across from the big starter connection to the solenoid connection with a screwdriver. If the solenoid is OK it will pull in. Mind you, a click from the starter solenoid does not mean it is working unless you have put a meter on the solenoid end to check. Had to start my car this way when I first got it as the starter relay was U/S. You could also check the solenoid by taking the cap off and manually operating the relay (did this also for a while).

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1 (now passed to son for his family car)
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto (now gone that others might live)
Saab 9000 2.3 LPT Auto (sold on, wish I had it back)
Saab 9-5 2.3 Vector Auto Estate
'81 TR7 DHC

[johnny5]

I had this problem when I fitted an engine in my white FHC. I tracked the fault to the engine bay wire harness, there was a break in the wire that connects the starter relay to the starter motor solenoid.


John

80 DHC Green
77 FHC White

[FI Spyder]

I've had a problem with the connector block to the starter relay being dirty (spray with contact cleaner). Also ignition switch not making contact (flush ignition switch with silicone spray to clean out previously sprayed graphite that was sprayed in there.. (also happened to my Integra).

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[john 215]

Hi,

As well as what everyone else say's check the main earth in tight to the engine, often overlooked when refitting an engine [:I]. Although if loose the choke cable will glow a nice red colour [B)]

Also there is a harness connector just inside the car, N/S/F footwell that is the connector for engine loom make sure that is good.

One further connector is the gearbox loom connector, has a bridge wire in it for starter, if a manual box or goes to inhibitor switch if auto.

Good luck,

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

[Jerryopenair]

I had a problem with the starter, turns out it was the starter relay terminal burnt out, it's generally the blue relay, if you take the cover off you may see the terminal burnt out, if so carefully remove the spring and then you can clean up the terminal. I replaced mine anyway.

[Jerryopenair]

Brain not working. Where I've typed terminal replace with contact

[gregtheo]

Thanks for everyone's help! Its much appreciated!
Problem is now solved, it was the wiring under the dash, one of them had pulled out of the big plug, engine now turns over! Now to try to get it to start!

Thanks
Greg

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)

[bmcecosse]

Turn it with the plugs out to get oil pressure - before even trying to start.

[gregtheo]

I span it over on the starter with the plugs out waiting for the oil pressure light to go out, it never went out so I changed the oil pressure switch, still no oil pressure so I thought maybe a dodgy pump, took the old pump off and the shaft that drives it was totally missing! Couldn't believe it! Fitted spare pump and shaft and the oil light went out after a few seconds! Fitted the plugs back in the engine and it started first turn of the key!

Greg

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)

[bmcecosse]

That was a lucky find ! The damage if it had been started with no oil pump running would be horrific.

[gregtheo]

Definitely! Cant think of any reason why that part was missing but its sorted now!

Greg

Inca yellow '78 2.0 FHC (in bits...again!)