Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 187 Threads: 42
Reputation:
5
Location: North Wales UK
Car type: Austin 7 RN 1931
My 1931 RN refuses to start from cold using the starter motor
It turns over OK on the starter but refuses to fire but starts easily first time if I swing it.
Therafter it's 'on the button' every time.
I'm assuming that because as it's still 6v the coil is being partially starved when using the starter. I've fitted a voltmeter which seems to confirm this The battery is in good condition.
I don't want to change to 12v - what are the alternatives?
Buy an Austin 7 they said, It's easy to work on they said !
Joined: Nov 2022 Posts: 23 Threads: 10
Reputation:
0
Location: Lincolnshire
Car type: A7 Ulster Special project
My brother and I once had a TR4A that developed a similar problem some time after restoration. After the choke cable started smoking I discovered the problem - I had forgotten to fit the crankcase to chassis strap and therefore the current return was via the outer of the choke cable where it went through the bulkhead as it was also missing the rubber grommet! It worked ok for a while until the choke cable was fully cooked!
So definitely check the battery cables and, as has been said, check ignition voltage whilst cranking.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,384 Threads: 33
Reputation:
36
Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
If the battery is good, and the starter motor in order then there should be no problem starting from cold on 6v. However I would recommend a separate earth cable direct from the battery to the starter motor to ensure that the starter motor is getting all it needs. There should then be sufficient residual current to satisfactorily energise the coil during cranking.
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,091 Threads: 109
Reputation:
22
Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi Barry
You may also want to clean up the starter switch, which I think on your car is a push switch on the passenger side of the tunnel.
The terminals can become loose and the internals full of crud.
Cheers
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 555 Threads: 89
Reputation:
7
Location: Deepest darkest Kent
A quick test is to use a jump lead from the earth side of the battery directly to the crankcase. If it starts easily then run a separate earth underneath to one of the bellhousing studs in a heavy gauge cable.
Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 5,435 Threads: 231
Reputation:
67
Location: Scotchland
What Robert said - exactly what I would do.