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I'm rebuilding a competition car based on a 1988 Lancia Delta HF and believe I have an issue with the starter motor. After fitting a fresh battery and ensuring that the kill-switch is on, 12.4 volts is measured between the +ve input pin of the solenoid and the ground strap bolted to the bellhousing / starter motor securing bolt.

Applying a +ve 12 volt feed to the exciter pin yields nothing at all. There is not even the usual "CLICK!" associated with solenoid operation. I've tried tapping the body of the unit with a hammer which has done nothing. For my next step I was thinking about pulling the starter from the car and bench testing it. However, I wondered if there was anything else I can try? I have considered using something fairly heady duty to bridge the posts on the solenoid. Is this a bad idea?

Also, if the fault lies with the solenoid, is it possible to strip it down and rebuild it or is it simply a case of replacement? The start motor is a Magnetti Marelli unit. The car is running a significantly stripped back non-standard wiring loom but the starter circuit is fairly straight forward.

Edit 1: Updated information

I've tried bridging the two terminals on the solenoid with a jump cable connected between the starter earthing point and the battery -ve terminal. This yielded nothing, not even a spark at the terminals.

I've also tried attaching a +ve jumper cable directly to the starter motors +ve input terminal and still nothing.

I suspect I have no alternative but to unbolt the start from the bell housing and strip it on the bench.

Steve Matthews
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1 Answers1

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I would suggest that you should make sure that the solenoid has a decent earth or ground - especially as you say there is no click.

Given that you say you are re-building this car, have you just painted all the inner surfaces of the engine bay? If so, then the solenoid may not be contacting metal for an earth.

You can test this by putting a cable between the case of the soleniod and the battery earth...

If the solenoid is integral with the starter motor, then the initial "pull-in" current gets to earth via the armature for what is called 'low power indexing" ie it causes the armature to rotate as it engages the teeth with the flywheel teeth. So, are the brushes making proper contact?

Solar Mike
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