tried to start my fastie last w/e and came across a slight problem...
when i tur the key, the engine winds but doesn't kick. i am replacing the sparkies to see if thatis my no kick prob but my main concern is what happens when i turn the key off. when it gets turned off, the starter still winds like it wants to kick.
am i making sense is this normal??

solenoid sticking in???

huh?? electronics not my area at all
thanks tho

When you say kick, do you hear a electric whine but the engine doesn't turn over, or are you saying that the engine is turning over, but doesn't start no matter how long you crank it?

Try putting the car into reverse whilst the engine stopped, clutch out, and roll the car backwards and forwards with your foot. This turns the motor ever so slightly and may disengage a stuck starter.

If the starter's solenoid is foobarred, the little cog which zooms out and engages the clutch's outer teeth to turn over the engine will not deploy. Thus a little whine, but no engine action. Check wiring (take the wire off and clean, check the fuse), take the starter out and check free operation with a battery. (careful - it literally flies out, so don't have your head at the business end when doing this).

If the engine is cranking, but there's no action, there's several choices:

* fuel or electrics

Fuel
- check you have fuel in the tank
- check fuel lines
- check fuel filter
- check fuel pump
- check carby / FI operation

Electrics
- check spark across the points (if you still have them)
- check the fuses and condensor if there's no spark
- check spark at the end of each spark plug wire against the engine block
- check spark plugs for fouling and gap. clean or replace if dirty or corroded

Good luck!

Andrew

ps. If your engine is greasy or there's fuel about, have an extinguisher handy in case your spark tests cause a fire.

thanks man. yeah the old girl's motor turns but no kick as such.i really hope it's not eletrical

I forgot to mention the coil. You should check the coil, too.

i had this problem with my fastie, i found that i only had power to the coil when the key was held 1/2 way between on and start, maybe it is just a sign of age and the ignition barrel is on its way out????
i just ran a ignition switch on the dash and a push button starter with a kill switch, works fine......... just the motor needs a tune now.......... its for sale........ making way for another project