QuestionHi Howard. I saw your answer dated 10/1/2007 to Mike re a clicking starter motor. I have exactly the same problem. However my 1970 MGB is negative earth. Could you please give me the same answer based on negative earth. Would very much appreciate it. Best regards, Laurie.
AnswerHi Laurie,
The tests for a negative ground and positive ground car for the starter are the same when using a test light and if doing a voltage drop test on cable you just reverse the test leads on the volt meter.
A "Click" on an attempted start can be several things so you must do some tests. The 70 MGB has a starter relay so you should first test the starter by putting the car in neutral and key off. Check battery power with a voltmeter. (12v to 13v)
Take a jumper wire and attach it to the large battery hot wire on the starter solenoid and touch the white with a red tracer wire coming from the starter solenoid. If the starter engages and spins the engine then the problem is back at either the relay, wiring and/or the ignition switch. If it just goes "Click" then the problem is either in the solenoid, the starter or the cables or even the battery or batteries if you still have two 6v batteries.
If it just went "Click" then you need to take a large screwdriver or such tool and short between the two large posts on the starter solenoid. Be careful not to short to the block or any other metal and when you short between the two large posts, there will be sparks so be ready in case of the sparks setting anything on fire.
If you get no sparks or it sparks and the engine does not turn over you need to first turn the crank by hand to see that the engine is not locked up and if it is not locked up you need to test the ground strap from the engine to the frame and from the battery/ies to ground.
If it did star on the very first test let me know and I will give you the tests for the car itself.
Howard
