The Triumph 2000 / 2500 / 2·5 Register Forum

Hello all. I'm after some more advice on behalf of my dad.....

He got his 2000 out of the garage this morning to wash it.....

It was on the drive ticking over, when he heard an electrical motor spinning very fast....
It wasn't the electric fan, so can only be the starter......

The only way to get it to stop spinning was to disconnect the battery. However as soon as you put the cables back on the battery, it starts spinning away again. Now he obviously can't start it to put it back in the garage.....

I'm suspecting a knackered solenoid? Anybody got any ideas / tips etc on how to repair? Could I get away with replacing the solenoid, or is a refurbished starter in order? Want to get parts ordered prior to getting under the car!

It's a 1975 2000tc

Thanks

First check is that the key has returned to position 2 from the starter position 3. May not be the starter at all! Try removing the key and connecting the battery. If no starter turning, move key to position 2. If still not turning try to start, and ensuring the key returns to position 2.
Good luck.

Are you sure it's the starter? If the solenoid (or switch) was stuck, presumably the engine would start, or at least be turning over.
Might it not be the heater fan?


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The starter motor itself is normally only powered after the pinion has gone into mesh with the flywheel. There are big contacts in the solenoid which make supply power to the motor. It is difficult to see how these contacts have made contact without the pinion being in mesh. Then it would really make a noise!

I think you need to be sure that it is the starter that is running before going any further.

I have a number of used Mk2 starters if that helps.

P.S. This is only relevant to Mk2 cars. Mk1 cars use an inertia type starter motor which will start the motor and throw the pinion into mesh all in one go. If we are talking about a Mk1, then the solenoid is likely to be the cause! At least that would be easy to check.

Cheers,
Mike.

So I went to my dads to inspect the car.......

He had managed to get it started & back in the garage. After 30 mins or so he connected up the battery and it started & ran fine.

timeline of events;

started the car & backed out of garage
engine still running on idle and key back in position 2 the motor sound started running at a high speed
engine turned off and still a motor could be heard
battery disconnected and the motor stopped
battery re connected and the starter motor would not turn
left for 30 mins and all is well again?

Im baffled...

Is this Mk1 (inertia starter) or Mk2 (pre-engaged starter)? That makes quite a difference!

Cheers,
Mike.

Ah, OK, thanks Charles. Must have missed that bit!

Cheers,
Mike.