My MGB GT won't start

Hello. I've just joined this forum as I've only just become an MGB GT owner. I got the car off of a good friend who has owned it for 10 years but just left it sat unused/unstarted for the last 10 months or so. Therefore I know the car does run fine. It had a new u/leaded engine around 3000 miles ago so everything is fine on that front. (all paperwork)

When I went to collect it we couldn't jump start it, the battery I know is now fully charged. When I turn the key my lights come on and I can hear a tick tick tick tick sound (this is my fuel pump right?). The lights do NOT dim when I turn the key. The engine will not turn over.Just silence. Any ideas how to rear the thing into life? I had one reply from another site suggesting an engine strip down. This seemed a little severe to me, even being a novice. From a working car to a non starter. I would assume something is just stuck. I'm open to suggestions.

thanks

Sounds like you are not getting voltage to the starter. I'd start by checking the wires to the starter especially the grounding. The starter itself may just be ceased up from inactivity. A good whack with a hammer might be enough to get it spinning. You can also jump the leads to the starter with an old wrench or screwdriver to spin it bypassing the switch. (it will spark)

I'm pretty sure you don't need a complete teardown.

I would check the starter relay and double ck all connections. What year is it?

Randy

it's a 1978 rubber bumper.

My knowledge is a bit poor on cars but can I find the starter motor attached to my points/distributor via ht leads.

It's been 20 years or so since I done any work to a car so my memory of how to do the things I used to do has gone which is why I need help. I looked in the workshop manual but it only has break down diagrams of the starter and not a picture of its position in the engine bay.

I believe relay is on the rt inner fender. Red wire from ignition switch should have power when key turned to start. Then brown wire from relay to starter should then have power. If power at red/white wire when turned to start but no power to brown wire the relay is bad. If power to brown wire possible starter or connection. Ck wire at starter for power in start position. Ck link for wire diagrahm. Make sure to page down to 1978 MGB

http://www.advanceautowire.com/mgb.pdf

Lay down on ground with your head adjacent to the drivers side wheel (your feet will be at the rear wheel).

reach your right hand in behind the wheel and you'll see some wires there dropping down to the starter. (see pic)

give the rubber end of that a few good oul taps with a hammer to engage the solenoid.

try starting it again.

i dunno why anyone would suggest a strip down?!

[img]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2174508&l=a68454d3b3&id=719693241[/img]

[quote=slymansteve]

Lay down on ground with your head adjacent to the drivers side wheel (your feet will be at the rear wheel).

reach your right hand in behind the wheel and you'll see some wires there dropping down to the starter. (see pic)

give the rubber end of that a few good oul taps with a hammer to engage the solenoid.

try starting it again.

i dunno why anyone would suggest a strip down?!

[img]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2174508&l=a68454d3b3&id=719693241[/img][/quote]

Good advice. When I first read your suggestion, I wondered about the "drivers side" and then I saw that you are in Ireland. In US, it would be on the passenger side.

thanks for the advice and pictures. I'm working nights for the next couple of days but i'll be giving it a whirl on Sunday. I'll put up my progress.