Testing Starter motor

[jack.pe]

My 8V just clicks when I try to start it, sounds like the solenoid but then nothing happens, eventually if I keep trying after 5-10 goes the starter goes and car starts. Battery is new. Want to connect battery direct to starter to see if this is the issue or not, how would I do that? can it be done with starter left mounted or does it have to be removed? which terminals do i need to connect up to on Solenoid/Starter ?

Thanks!!!

[JimR]

maybe overkill but i took mine off the car and used a jump lead to the big nut from the battery +ve, jump lead to the metal part of the housing to the battery -ve, and then just a normal bit of wire to the trigger wire terminal from the battery +ve. be careful though, it has a lot of torque and will twist about in the bay if not properly secured, and support the engine from the bottom when you remove it as the three bolts are also used for mounting to the front engine mount.

[oakgreener]

Try cleaning the main terminal connection first. The one from the battery to the starter. It's prone to make a poor connection.
Disconnect at the battery first though.

[danny_p]

if te selonoid is just clicking  check that the main live is good    if it is an still no go.

put power directly to the motor ( the other large terminal on selonid, you'll hear the motor spin up there will also be a large splash when connection is made ) 

if it spins up  the motor is good but contacts in selonoid have gone,  if it dosent run up  brushes in motor have gone,  ( it'll be the selonoid )

[jack.pe]

Thanks guys... bridged the solenoid contacts and motor spun up...  could not find solenoid separately so got an exchange starter for £60 including trading in mine... works fine now!!

[JimR]

Good stuff, nice to hear a happy ending