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just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken

Posted by joem

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just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #1
joem joseph mandra la grange park, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:21PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

i just got a 77 mgb from a friend and up until now it has been running great. i dont really know much about cars so expect some of the terms to be off. it started with the car shutting down when i would come to a stop if i didnt rev the engine and now it wont even start up at all. the engine rev problem happened when i first got the car and my other friend who actually has a few mgs himself suggested i put new gas in it since it was sitting around for a year and it worked. i tried that again this time with no luck. i was told it was the starter by my friend said that my friend who sold the car to me already replaced the starter twice so he thinks it has to be something else besides just that. i made a video of me trying to start up the car because there is no way i'd be able to explain everything in words. the key doesnt actually start the car, instead the car is started by pushing a button on the panel

here's the video:

if anyone knows what it is or has any ideas on how i can fix it that would be great, its finally getting warm and i'd really like to drive my car

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #2
rntanner Roger N. Tanner Ventura, CA, USA 1970 MG MGB 1977 MG MGB	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:27PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 504

Remove the starter and see if the teeth on the flywheel are missing, or the teeth on the end of the starter are missing.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #3
joem joseph mandra la grange park, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:32PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

In reply to # 2038394 by rntanner Remove the starter and see if the teeth on the flywheel are missing, or the teeth on the end of the starter are missing.

this is gonna sound dumb.....but how hard is it to remove the starter, should i just have my friend do it?
and whats a fair price to pay if i need to buy a new one?

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #4
curtis7420 Curtis Wright Univerisity City, MO, USA 1975 MG MGB "The "B"" 2000 Chrysler Town & Country 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:32PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,899

you definitely need to talk to whoever it was that installed all those switches and push button starter. i have no idea, and i doubt many other will either, what all you have done, have to do, to start this car. i've seen push button starters before, but all you usually have to do is turn the key and push the button.

you could trace all the wires. or, you could by-pass things and attempt to start the car from the engine bay - ie. removing a wire from the starter relay and touching it to a fuse.

someone with more experience than me will surely chime in and tell you exactly what to do. but i would start by finding out exactly what the switches are for...

good luck

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #5
curtis7420 Curtis Wright Univerisity City, MO, USA 1975 MG MGB "The "B"" 2000 Chrysler Town & Country 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:35PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,899

In reply to # 2038398 by joem

In reply to # 2038394 by rntanner Remove the starter and see if the teeth on the flywheel are missing, or the teeth on the end of the starter are missing.

this is gonna sound dumb.....but how hard is it to remove the starter, should i just have my friend do it?
and whats a fair price to pay if i need to buy a new one?

with that sound, it could be the teeth.

it's not that difficult to remove the starter...

you can get a good used starter for as little as $50. have it tested at autozone/advance auto for free before putting it in the car. the first one i bought was bad and i took it back to the person i bought it from and they just handed me another used one that i've had no trouble with so far.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #6
joem joseph mandra la grange park, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:37PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

but would the starter also be the reason why the car was shutting off when i wasnt revving the engine?

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #7
Youngmgbuilder Olin Reed Hyde Park, Vermont, USA 1972 MG MGB "Jenna" 1977 MG MGB	Posted: April 12, 2012 04:41PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 346

In reply to # 2038404 by joem but would the starter also be the reason why the car was shutting off when i wasnt revving the engine?

If your stopped you have to have your foot on the clutch. The starter basically does nothing but start the car, so that isn't the problem

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #8
ozieagle Herb Adler Geelong Victoria, Australia 1958 Wolseley 1500 "Wooly" 1966 MG MGB "Bl**dy B"	Posted: April 12, 2012 05:12PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,349

Check the cables from the battery. Corrosion on the terminals, just loose, bad connection the the body, faulty cable.

Herb

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #9
Dell WA Delbert Golightly Spanaway Wash, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 05:36PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 272

Joe........sometimes the gears on the flywheel gitt worn, so the stater motor Bendix never meshes. Interestingly enuff, 4-cyl engines almost always stop at the same place, so guess what? BAD flywheel gears again. Eazy'nuff to check, putt'chur tranny in 3rd-gear and PUSH car a couple of feet .....then try to starter. Simple, eh? Iff'n it starts right-up, guess what? Yer flywheel ring gear is worn and ONLY cure is pulling the engine and replacing flywheel. Me? I can push a car alotta times before I pull an engine.

As fer yer dashboard push-button starter scheme. Previous Owner didn't know that the steering column switch is replaceable so he cobbled a simple push-button replacement. My '76 PO did that. I just haven't gotten around to re-keying it. It kinda depends upon how tight yer sphincter is. ........Dell who doesn't care about "originality"

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #10
arkay Ronn Kilby El Cajon CA, USA 1979 MG MGB "Sabrina" 2004 Harley-Davidson Dyna	Posted: April 12, 2012 05:48PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 223

The good news - you got an MG! The bad news - yep.

I think you should sell it and buy a Miata. That rocker switch thing is SO "DPO" that I hate to think what lurks elsewhere. Even if you do get her going, it's probably just the beginning. A 35 year-old poorly-maintained car is not the best choice for "un-mechanical" folks who just want to get in and drive "because it's finally getting warm." Just my gut reaction. Good luck my friend.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #11
joem joseph mandra la grange park, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:04PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

what's dpo?
and part of the reason i bought the car was because i figured there would be problems and it would force me to learn how to fix a car

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #12
PaulM Paul McLaren Lower Mainland BC, Canada 1968 MG MGB 1969 MG MGC GT "Willow" 1970 MG MGB "Miss Lou" 1970 MG MGB "Dolly"	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:06PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 7,444

In reply to # 2038406 by Youngmgbuilder

In reply to # 2038404 by joem but would the starter also be the reason why the car was shutting off when i wasnt revving the engine?

If your stopped you have to have your foot on the clutch. The starter basically does nothing but start the car, so that isn't the problem

Sitting stopped with your foot on the clutch will wear out the carbon throw out bearing.

Paul McLaren

1969 MGC GT
1970 MGB Roadster
1970 MGB Roadster

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #13
arkay Ronn Kilby El Cajon CA, USA 1979 MG MGB "Sabrina" 2004 Harley-Davidson Dyna	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:11PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 223

DPO is "D..." Previous Owner. If you want a course in auto repair, you bought the right car. Just be ready for a LOT of learning. Best - and enjoy the ride. I hope this is not your only vehicle.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #14
joem joseph mandra la grange park, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:14PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 7

In reply to # 2038497 by arkay DPO is "D..." Previous Owner. If you want a course in auto repair, you bought the right car. Just be ready for a LOT of learning. Best - and enjoy the ride. I hope this is not your only vehicle.

no i've got a daily driver thankfully, i only paid 800 for it, my friend said it wasnt that great of a deal, but for me 800 to mess around with a car and maybe drive it every now and then isnt that bad

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #15
arkay Ronn Kilby El Cajon CA, USA 1979 MG MGB "Sabrina" 2004 Harley-Davidson Dyna	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:28PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 223

Kewl. I'd suggest 3 things. First take a class at your local community college in basic auto repair. You'll enjoy it -especially if they let you bring your car in. Get some tools (sockets, wrenches, etc) and plan on a few "MG specific" tools as well. Get a copy of the "Bentley" repair manual (best price is on Amazon). It's not cheap but you'll need it - and it's got something in there about everything you need to know. And of course there'e a wealth of info here at the forum - use the search before you ask, chances are someone has already covered your question. Good luck - and keep us posted on your progress.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #16
curtis7420 Curtis Wright Univerisity City, MO, USA 1975 MG MGB "The "B"" 2000 Chrysler Town & Country 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:34PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,899

don't let these people discourage you. no one has seen your car in person, so no one knows how bad it may or may not be. it could possibly be an easy fix, but...maybe not. yes, these cars can be a heap of work. but you will also hear stories of those who don't have problems for years and years. it all depends on how well it was maintained. but i would have to agree, when you see something like your starter set-up, it usually means there have been shortcuts taken all around the car. hopefully for your sake, there's not.

more will chime in on a fix for your starter. if not, simply use the "search" in the upper right of the screen. just put in something like "starter problems" and see all that comes up. definitely pick up a shop manual - preferably the Bentley for your year. but here is an electronic version of it for earlier year cars but it can sometimes be helpful:

http://www.bmcno.org/manuals/MGB%20Workshop%20Manual.pdf

personally, i have one by "Clymer" that came with the car and i'm pretty happy with it.

also, use the "library", found on the left side of the screen (and now also left/center in the upper part of the screen). invaluable info there too.

whatever your problem(s), people/info on this site will walk you through it - give it some more time for others to respond. but please don't get discouraged by some of the comments you've received. about the worst possible thing that i would have to agree with someone telling you to start over with anther car is RUST issues - unless you have some welding skills and don't care to drive your car for a while. the cars are a blast to drive AND to work on. i'm still very much learning myself, and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

again, good luck and DO NOT GIVE UP! oh, and post some pics of your car.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #17
78mgb White Wonder 78mgb Minnesota, USA 1978 MG MGB	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:43PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 1,358

Since the car has been sitting for a long time, check the gas filter. It probably needs replacing and it is easy to do. Any car sitting for a long time is prone to having rust in the gas tank that can keep it from running.

By the way a great resource about car repair and maintenance is here: http://www.mgexperience.net/library/

Good luck. This is a great place to ask questions when you become stuck.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #18
1977mg-mgb Maxx M City, USA 1977 MG MGB "Little Green Sprout"	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:44PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 22

your starter isent engaging properally, it could be as simple as replacing the starter, or haveing to pull the motor and replace the fly-wheel. hey, atleast youll learn more about cars in the meantime. and as far ar the reving problem, you probally have to ajust the carb(S) if you have a stromburg carb or a weber, not that hard. but if you have dual SU's, it could be a bit of a task.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2012 06:49PM by 1977mg-mgb.

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #19
applebj8 Jon Appleby Lake Wylie, SC, USA 1971 MG MGB	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:48PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 1,301

Joseph,
If you get back to this thread, check out the Library link along the left margin. Your intuition is correct, you can learn a lot of basic car maintenance from owning one of these beauties!

Someone has really cobbled up your wiring harness - none of those switches should be necessary. Wiring diagrams are online at http://www.advanceautowire.com/ See, you now have an opportunity to learn how to interpret schematics!

There is a comprehensive list to get any neglected MGB running again:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070714104323/www.theautoist.com/awakening_a_sleeping_b.htm

And of course you have this site to help you along with whatever you encounter...
Good Luck

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Re: just got a new mgb.......and now it's broken #20
Kirksan Travis K Homestead, FL, USA	Posted: April 12, 2012 06:51PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 140

JM,
This forum is an awesome resource and you can totally fix your car. We got our B about two months ago and i dont know much about cars at all. Researching the forum and library articles we made a huge improvement in performance for only about $200. An additional 10 mph at 3000rpm on the highway.
Good luck!!!! Sorry I don't know what's wrong with your car but I bet someone around here does. Just wanted to share some encouragement.

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