This past weekend I picked up a 73 MGB very reasonable. The body looks good
and the engine look real clean. Sunday I figured I put a battery in and see
if it would start. Put the battery in and connected the positive cable.
Next I tapped the negative cable against the negative battery post, no
sparks, so far so good. I put the negative cable on, but didn't tighten it,
just in case. So far no smoke, life is good. Turned the key to try to
start. The engine turned over, but very slowly about twice, then I noticed
the smoke (you knew it was coming didn't you). I quickly disconnected the
negative terminal from the battery (glad I didn't tighten the terminal) and
let the smoke clear. Upon closer inspection I discovered the DPO must have
had some major electrical problem that he tried to fix without any knowledge
of working with electric. Almost all the brown wires under the hood were
cut, most spliced back together without any electrical tape. The brown
wires carry power from the battery directly to the various systems,
including the ignition switch and fuse block. Now, in addition to being
cut, most of the brown wires also had very melted insulation. Luckily I had
most of a spare wiring harness so I replaced the brown wires from the
starter to the alternator, fuse block and everywhere else they ran. I found
the schematic in Haynes Manual to be better than the one in my Bently Manual
so that is primarily what I'm using.
Now to the questions:
1. There is a white with green tracer running to the starter solenoid area
(bundled with the 5 brown and one white brown wire). What is this wire for?
It's not on either of my schematics. The old wire I removed was connected
to a wire that normally runs to the transmission near the starter (twisted
together without tape). When I went to check where it was connected on top
after moving a bunch of the wire around I found it wasn't connected to
anything.
2. After replacing all the burned wires I could find, as well as repairing
any other wires that needed it, I reconnected the battery. No smoke so far,
turned the ignition switch, no smoke, but nothing else, not even a click.
I've traced the problem to the seat belt interlock system. I have power at
the white red wire from the ignition switch, but nothing to the starter
solenoid relay. When I jumper directly from the white red wire to the
starter solenoid relay the engine turns over. How do I bypass the seat belt
interlock system. I considered hooking the white red wire directly to the
yellow pink wire that goes from the seat belt interlock module to the
starter solenoid relay. Will this work or will I be bypassing other systems
that I need?
Overall the car looks in pretty good condition, especially considering what
I paid for it. I do think I will be needing a driver's side fender and hood
(bonnet). Also, the clutch and brakes are currently non-existent, but
that's what makes these cars fun, is being able to fix them up. My goal is
to have it ready for Rendezvous 2001 in Tallahassee, FL November 2-4 2001.
As always thank for the help, I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more
questions from me in the near future.
Ken Waringa
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