james h
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| posted on 11/5/09 at 05:34 PM |
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Buzzing starter solenoid
My engine had been firing up fine until a few days ago. I charged the battery then tried the ignition but all I got was a strange high-pitched buzz
from the starter solenoid 
Lights and all work fine, just the engine doesn't. I don't recall changing any electrics.
Have I done something silly? I don't get how the solenoid can be fine one day and weird the next, especially as I haven't even taken the
car off the axle stands.
James
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Dusty
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| posted on 11/5/09 at 05:40 PM |
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Usually a symptom of poor battery. Voltage drop as the solenoid energises the starter deactivates the solenoid which clicks back off, volts go up
again so it clicks back on etc, cycling fast gives a machine-gun like noise.
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james h
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| posted on 11/5/09 at 06:03 PM |
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Hmm ok I will top up the battery and see how that goes, hopefully solve the problem
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MautoK
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| posted on 11/5/09 at 07:00 PM |
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Check the soundness of the battery posts - they may be oxidized - and check the solenoid connection and the earth strap. Earth strap should ideally go
to the engine itself (otherwise the circuit may be completed via the throttle cable or similar).
If the battery posts are dull, give them a light rub with sandpaper and get a nice clean surface on the connectors.
The starter draws hundreds of amps, so a tiny resistance in any of the four connections is all it takes the get the solenoid buzzing but the lights
could still be OK - cos they draw much less current, hence less voltage drop across a poor connection.
HTH
John.
He's whittling on a piece of wood. I got a feeling that when he stops whittling, something's gonna happen. (OUATITW/Cheyenne)
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james h
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| posted on 12/5/09 at 01:56 PM |
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Thanks John, will give that a go 
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