Rover Sports Register Forum

I am looking for a replacement starter solenoid for my '39 P2 but I cannot find any reference for it either in the data or on the unit. The starter is a Lucas 418G. The nearest lookalike I can see on line is a Lucas SRB316 - in this case with a push button - but I dont have any technical spec. Are these pretty well universal electrically? Any help appreciated
Rob

Lucas p.n. is 760080. I am surprised - this item never brake.

Later p.n.

Thanks for your reply Luli. I am not sure that it is the solenoid but I have checked all the connections under the bonnet and they feel good. The battery was fully charged at 13.8V at the start and only droppped to 12.1V after 2 days of testing so I dont think that is implicated. I tested the starter off the car by connecting direct to the battery and it spun. However on the car all I get is a quick whir and a clunk which I think is the bendix going forward and stopping. All the dash dials stop with the current take. It does not turn the engine anyway even with the plugs out. My spare starter doesnt even seem to spin so that is no help.
Getting the starter refurbished is going to take 4-6 weeks and I want to try any other alternatives first hence thinking about the solenoid. How do you test the solenoid? I have a spare of unknown quality but with no ID visible either.
Rob

Is the Bendix drive sleeve in good condition?

https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/26004 ... 48-55.html

To be honest I wouldn't know how to assess the bendix drive sleeve but the bendix seems to travel up and down easily and smoothly
Rob

Corroded battery terminals, loose connection, damaged cable can all result with what you are experiencing. The following device can help you eliminate the suspect:
https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Starters/b? ... =318336011

Hi Rob,

To answer your original question, the Lucas solenoid with push button should work with your car. All starter solenoids do the same thing; i.e. Switch high current, so pretty much any 12v solenoid will work with your car. The push button is a bonus and I have these on my cars. Very useful for starting the engine from under the bonnet.

Moving on. Seems to me that your engine isn't turning over and offers up a complete short when the starter engages. Could be a mechanical rather than electrical issue? Have you tried turning it with the starting handle? Should be easy with plugs out. I've had similar problem with my Tourer - almost as if it was seized - and it started fine once I'd manually turned it over. Or you could put it in gear and rock the car back and forth. Then try with the starter.

The sleeve Luli is referring to is the metal/ rubber cylinder that interfaces in the starter drive. Sometimes the rubber detached from the metal but this usually results in the starter spinning with no drive at the bendix.

Let us know how you get on.

Tony

Thanks Luli
Not sure I got the right link as this only takes me to 'jump starters'- I dont think that was what you meant was it?
Thanks Tony
Thanks for the info on solenoids. I tried turning the engine of the handle early on as Iwanted to see if something had seized. It was heavy but certainly no obstructions to turning. Although that would be odd since it is only just over 4 weeks since I last started the car without incident and the only work I have done is to fit the second stepboard (its up on ramps) and refit one of the front seats (reupholstery finally done!).
Still not quite clear where the sleeve is located- is it under the bendix, behind it or somehwere else completely?
Rob

Rob, that "jump start" is exactly what I meant. I am sure you can buy it near where you live or on line; it is not expensive and it is exactly what you need right now. Before suspecting anything else - suspect dead battery (that isn't measured by voltage) and bad connections. Bad Benedix would not lower the voltage to nothing - only battery or bad terminals etc.