[Mgs] 74 MGB starter issue

[Charley & Peggy Robinson]

The Autozone people can look up your starter purchase on their computer 
network.  If you bought the Duralast starter you're entitled to a new 
starter.  Pull it off the engine and take it to the AZ store.  No muss, 
no fuss. :-)

CR
On 3/19/2013 8:53 PM, William Killeffer wrote:
> Back in November, I had to park my 1974 MGB because it appeared that the
> starter had gotten stuck and would no longer turn the engine over. I could
> still roll start it, but doing that on the flat ground at my home and the area
> nearby can be a bit of a chore. The starter would not respond to being banged
> on with a hammer or anything like that.
>
> The battery is less than a year old and has been on a charger since all this
> happened. I have replaced the ground cable in the battery box (one single 12v
> rather than two 6v) and made sure to keep it short and attached to a clean
> area of the body.
>
> I got the wanderlust today and went through the rather laborious steps to get
> it rolling under its own power and drove to see the parents a short distance
> away.
>
> My father speculated that the starter might not really be stuck, and that a
> current test might reveal another issue. He has an inductive gauge measuring
> amperage that is designed to fasten onto the hot wire running into the
> starter.
>
> I put the gauge on right before the wire actually connects to the starter, and
> he turned the key. As always, we could hear the solenoid clicking, but no
> response from the starter.
>
> Assuming I had the gauge attached properly, the needle barely deflected when
> he turned the key. He said that in the case of a stuck starter that is
> attempting to turnover, the needle will make a large deflection because the
> starter is pulling alot of current. In this case, barely any current was
> pulled.
>
> Dad said this could be a sign of bad brushes or some other contact issue,
> especially since the solenoid clicks. The starter is no more than four years
> old and was purchased at Autozone. In theory, it should still be under
> warranty, but I cannot find the receipt from where I purchased it. Dad said
> that if I can drop it, the Autozone folks will test it. We know how much fun
> dropping the starter is, but if it makes a difference...
>
> Anyhow, I just wanted to get some additional input from the group about other
> issues that might be causing the trouble I am having. Any other ideas and
> suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
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