MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
All,
Received a call from Wayne - having starting issues.
As of a couple hours ago, he turns the key and nada, nothing and he's asked for some help:
Any members in/around Vegas area know of a good MG parts house?
He's in need of either starter relay or ignition switch (77B RD).
Please reply to this post, PM or email me so I can get word to him.
Thanks in advance,
~L
Rusty Koester lives in Vegas.
Sorry, I don't have a phone for him.
That starter relay can be replaced with a generic one from a regular parts house. He should take his off and with him after making a drawing of which wire goes where.
And if he turns the key to on and the alt light lights up, he can hot wire it from under the hood. I don't remember what you jump across, but someone will.
If anyone reading this is near their Mutual Aid Directoy from MG2011, I'm sure there are several enthusiasts, as well as recommended mechanics, in the Vegas area.
If so, maybe you could PM Lou with the contact numbers of members in the Vegas locale.
This is a prime example of why one should belong to NAMGBR....AND....keep the Mutual Aid Directory in the MG!
What Rick is saying is true. I needed a start relay for my 79B a few weeks back and found what I needed at Advance Auto.
Wayne Reed (Different Wayne)
Thanks Rick - Yes, Wayne has the NAMGBR M.A.D. book with him.... perhaps that's why I haven't heard back, perhaps he's since got connected with someone (hope so).
I just got back in the house after looking for mine. What issue is it Rick?
*UPDATE*
Well, just spoke to Wayne - our brother has made it safely to his daughter's house - his B is tucked in the garage and he's on a comfy couch with a beer in hand so, all is well.
He's pretty convinced (as am I) the woes are his ignition relay. He's gonna go out and try a "trick" I mentioned to bypass his existing relay to prove our theory. Hopefully a $3 relay from Autozone will hook him up.
I'm sure he'll log on here shortly and give more details.
In the meantime, any Vegas bretheren out there please chime in - Wayne would like to connect up.
thanks to everyone who chimed in and sent good karma thoughts Wayne's way....
Good deal Rick - but I just hung up with him and verified he has a recent issue of M.A.D. with him and he'll check it shortly. Just having that little thing in my car(s) makes my membership worth it for sure!
I sent Wayne a copy of a couple pages from Rick Astley's book yesterday. It has a good step-by-step on testing to determine if a starting issue is the relay or ignition switch. Good to hear Wayne and Fat Dog are resting comfortably.
My NAMGBR mutual aid directory lives in my B. It sure saved us some grief when we burned a valve on our way to Gary's Run a few years back.
Paul, I'm just getting ready to read that again. Read it last night, but couldn't print it.
I am in a good spot now, and don't badly need assistance just yet. I'm about 90% sure it's the relay or wiring to same.
Just for fun, the odometer rolled over to 77,777 about twenty miles from Vegas. Is someone trying to tell me something?B)-
Appreciate all the assistance, and will advise. I had planned on being here a week or so, and I'm sure I'll get it before then!
This may be too simple and he may have already checked it, but I had the same experience (turn key and nada) and it was just a wire on the starter solenoid that had come loose.
Whoever is talking to Wayne might ask if he has physically checked the wires to the starter.
Thanks Bob....he's already done that (a few times now I think). He does get the ignition light when key is turned so that's a good sign. No worries, Wayne will conquer this minor hiccup. (tu)
Well, all, thanks to Rick Astley and PaulP for the info, I think it's the starter relay. Jumped to the brown white, instant start. Jump to red/white, click. No start.
Would indicate to me that the contacts are fried. New one in the morning, football game to watch now!!
Thanks to all and final update (I hope) tomorrow).
Wish I had read that closer last night, wouldn't have been doing all that pushing! Old dogs can't push for squat.
On such beautiful day for yardwork, you guys are stuck inside watching a ball game? (He says, as he finishes his glass of water and heads back out to prune vines...)
I don't suppose anyone sitting around can give me a NAPA or someone's part number for the starter relay?
I'd rather not pull the thing off and carry it in. Seems like a good chance for me to get stupid, and cause more problems.
And Rod, I'm watching the game on the back deck! Casino beckoning in the distance! I'd send a picture but I'm tired!
Wayne, if you haven't already done this, try wiggling the ignition system gang plug above your left knee. They tend to fry and cause either a disconnection or enough resistance to keep current from getting where it is supposed to go, either coming to the ignition switch or out to the starter relay.
Jack
We don't need no stinkin relay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyDWY_0ET2g
Well, yeah! Hot wings off of the BBQ,pizza, chips and guacamole, shrimp, beer!
Hey Wayne! Let me know if I can help you in anyway. I teach morning to early afternoon but I can arrange a time to lend a hand if need be.
Give me a call. I don't usually pick up during the day while in school but leave a message.
7O2 three five three - 5 nine 5 eight.
This relay will work. Don't remember which parts store I purchased it from. Any relay like it will work.
Clifton
Here I was, stuck in Vegas with two young blondes and a broken car, and you guys turn it into a Superbowl party!
Quick visit to O'reilley parts
Kid at counter sez "Make and Model"
"MGB"
Kid - who makes it
"MG"
Kid - What type?
"B roadster"
Kid - Oh, a motorcycle.
At some length, got a relay that looked about right. $18 USD, and it started right up.
Back to the blondes, a cold beer, and the Casino! Be here about a week, and then on to Phonix, probably next Sunday.
Thanks for all the help, and PaulP, the troubleshooting info was DA bomb!!
Atta boy Wayne!
Geez - $18 bucks??? I could've fedex'd you one of my $2.99 ones for less than that! (well, maybe)... (tu)
At that price, I shudder to wonder if you bought a spare....
$18!!! I guess it could be something worse. Glad you are up and running again.
Lou - negatory on the spare. Now that I know how to jumper it, it's no longer a problem if it goes out again. I would have pursued to price of the relay, but the poor kid was confused enough.
Rusty, thanks for the offer of help. But I got this one covered.
BTW - took the old relay apart, and think that if my brain had been working, I could have made it work a while more. It was full of rust. I suspect I shouldn't have let it hang upside down for years.
ANyway, now the alternator sounds a little funny. Might have to chase around on that one. Not leaving for Phoenix till about Sunday.