RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 So as per title, so best plan was to buy a new one. Bought a Lucas as hoped would be same quality. Eventually got it on, quite a fiddly job and hey presto, sticks. Well stuck, had to pull off battery lead again. Doh, have I got a duff one or can it be something else. Push rubber button and let go and just churns until leads smoke, bashed it still no joy. RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) Are you sure the coil of the solenoid isn't getting some power from somewhere? It won't disconnect if the coil is still energised even if only partial. Try taking off the connections to the solenoid. Edited June 29, 2018 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 New Lucas is not the same quality as old Lucas. The only thing that is the same is the name. I only ever use Durite electrical components. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 David, I agree, nuts were mm not A/F, terminals shorter, and just looked made in China. Just looked at Durite equivalent, wow £94 vs £21, must be good. RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) What made it fiddly to fit? I thought it had two big cables held by nuts a couple of push on smaller cables and two screws to attach it to the bulkhead 10 minute job once the tools are in your hands. Perhaps the green box Lucas product has bitten again. Peter W Edited June 29, 2018 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 I too thought it would be straightforward. Just the placement under the steering column and other cables and it was just a pain. Also the terminals are too short and not even A/F, just expected a straight swap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) RobH, Thanks for good suggestion. Replaced again but with only main cables to battery and starter motor. Works fine, engages and disengages as expected. Will now add back the other wires one by one and see when it all goes up in smoke. I have a separate one from ignition, one with small connector and one with larger connector (ammeter). Any preference for connecting ? RobG Edited June 29, 2018 by RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 BSF nuts on the big terminals them...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 RobH, Thanks for good suggestion. Replaced again but with only main cables to battery and starter motor. Works fine, engages and disengages as expected. Will now add back the other wires one by one and see when it all goes up in smoke. I have a separate one from ignition, one with small connector and one with larger connector (ammeter). Any preference for connecting ? RobG Not really - just do it one at a time so you know which is causing the trouble. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 (edited) Good test. This is getting interesting in a nerdy way. Attached ammeter lead and again ok engages and disengages. Attached smaller brown wire and good same again. Attached red and white ign lead and using rubber push good. But, turn ignition key and zilch, nowt, will not turn the engine. So, at this point the solenoid is free hanging, not attached to bulkhead so me thinks earthing. Attach jumper lead to Earth and solenoid and hey presto ignition key turns the engine. But, wiring diagrams do not show the solenoid needs to be earthed, so me thinks I got an earthing problem ? Or does the solenoid need to be a good earth through the attaching screws ? RobG Edit as a note it did not stick in any of the above tests. Edited June 29, 2018 by RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 The solenoid body needs to be earthed via the fixing screws. Without that connection the solenoid cannot pull in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted June 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Ok thanks RobH. This could be part of my problem, will attach earthing wire as well as screws, maybe too much paint and copper grease. Still does not explain why it got stuck on first time but could be a dodgy earthing. Will reassemble all correctly and retest. RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted June 30, 2018 Report Share Posted June 30, 2018 I had the same problem but it only stuck when i pushed the rubber button, works ok with the key and starter button. I wasnt happy with the new one so went back to the original, the only reason i changed it was the rubber buton was perished, found out after you can buy the rubber button on it's own Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG Posted July 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Thanks Graham. Well all back on now and does not stick, so far. Not any different to the first time so must have been a one off hopefully. Will keep new one for now and put old one in boot. Cheers all, RobG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Rob, Another good reason to install a battery cutoff switch INSIDE the car. Like you say, the battery leads can heat up and start to burn. By the time you’ve opened the bonnet, found the right spanner, and removed the battery terminal, it could be too late. Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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