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Finally got back on the site. Have not been able to login with former ID and PW so finally just re-registered. Have moved to San Antonio and have had my MGTD replica (VW based) parked in the garage for over 2 months. It was starting and running when parked and now I get nothing when I turn the key. I thought the battery was dead, but I connected up my new battery charger (it is one that auto shuts off when at full charge) and it immediately showed the battery at full charge and shut off. By the way the battery is new and only a few months old. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. No horn, no lights, no turn signals, and obviously no cranking, etc. I did find a fuse that was blown, but replacing it did not solve the problem. I’m not good with electrical issues, so what could have happened while just sitting that would result in this issue? Any thoughts and help would be appreciated.
Sam
Not suggesting a solution yet, but have a question that might help the diagnosis…
When the charger is hooked up, do lights, signals and other accessories work?
And when you attach the charger, I assume you are putting the charger clips on the battery cable clamps (that is, not directly on the battery posts) ?
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Paul, yes the charger is connected to the battery cable clamps. When the charger is connected to the battery I have lights only( parking , head lights and tail lights). No turn signals, no horn, etc.
Sam
Sam. I believe the turn signals don’t get power until the ignition switch is on. In VWs, the wire colors run as follows: red is power “all the time”, black is power with ignition switch on and brown is ground.
It may be the voltage regulator had a wire come loose. Check all connections for security. After that…I’m at a loss.
My .02 cents worth.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackI’d follow the negative battery terminal to the spot on the chassis where it’s bolted. Remove the bolt, clean the metal where it’s bolted through, and put it back. Clean the battery terminals as well—both of them. Then see if she starts.
Allen, the signals do work. I must not have had the key on. Thought I did.
Ed, thanks. I’ll check that next.
Sam
Ok, not sure what was going on, but did get the car started. The car is at my son’s house so I had him verify that the signals worked when the battery charger was on and the ignition key was on. In the process of him doing that, he called me and said he also noted a humming sound coming from the engine, but didn’t know what it was. I had not had this happen when I was working on this issue. I went over to his house and had him turn the ignition key while I listened at the engine. The hum was coming from the starter, but was not turning the engine over. The charger was still on and the gauge was flipping back and forth from showing it was charging back to zero and the fully charged light would come on. It kept doing this. The charger was new although I got it at Harbor Freight. At this point my son said lets take the battery cables off and connect the “old” battery charger directly to the battery. Note earlier I had also sanded the battery terminals and cable clamps to insure a good connection. They didn’t look bad, but did this anyway. When the “old” battery charger was connected, it showed the battery taking a charge so I left it on for about 6 hours. At that point it did not show the battery completely charged, but I reconnected the cables and the car started. Left the battery charger on over night and it showed a complete charge this morning. Given this, I suspect the battery was dead, but don’t know why it didn’t show taking a charge when I first connected the “old” charger to the battery. Any thoughts?
Sounds like power is getting to the starter. I vote either the solenoid is bad, or the starter itself. But I’m far from an expert!
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
Might it be a worn starter bushing? Hopefully Davearoy will chime in. He just went through a starter issue.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackI’m still at a loss as to what the real problem was/is. I had a starter problem when I first bought the car and had to replace the starter then. The car is still at my son’s house so I haven’t been able to do much with it yet.
Sam
Sam. When you changed the starter did you also change the bushing in the transaxle case? If not it may be the problem. The bushing costs very little. Something in the $3.00 range. Again just another thought of many you will receive.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackOne thought about battery chargers. The ” smart” chargers now on the market are a lot more complex than those of only a few years ago. Those that sense battery condition may refuse to charge a battery that is outside of the charger’s working window; it acts as if the battery isn’t even there. Problems like this may require (oh no) reading the directions carefully and consulting the troubleshooting chart. So don’t throw away your old brute force charger just yet.
Allen, I think so, but honestly I don’t remember for sure. I went to get the car today from my son’s house and it started just fine and no problems on the drive home.
Kall, I’m glad I didn’t pitch the “old” charger. I think that would have been a mistake and added to my list of many that have been made over the years.
Sam
Sounds great Sam. Hope it was just the old style charger and the starting problems are behind you.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackIf the car had been sitting for a while the mean gremlins of crosion could be your enemy. I do not know where your battery is located in relation to the starter, but you may have a bad connection from the battery terminal to the battery cable, the battery cable itself could be full of crosion, which would increase the resistance of power to the starter. The terminal at the starter lug nut may be corroded, or maybe even loose. You may also have a bad ground wire connection, as Paul (I believe has mentioned). Also double check the battery terminals on both ends of the ground cable to be sure they are clean, tight, and not corroded. If you have lights, but not enough power to have the starter solenoid engage the flywheel, the solenoid should click. The lights also should dim if there is not enough power in the battery to turn over the engine. Also, is there the proper level of distiled water in the battery to ensure the proper amperage charge? Good cable contacts, fuses good, no corrosion, full charge battery, good starter, good switches, engine should at least turn over.
Good Luck, Safet Fast
Dave
Dave
Lakeland, Florida, where we drive Topless every dayDave, thanks for your additional input. You have given me some more items to check. Since I cleaned the batt terminals and got the battery charged, it has started ok. I will check the additional items you mentioned as well. Also I have kept a trickle charger on the battery to keep it charged.
Sam
Sounds great Sam! These older VW cars are fun and easy to work on, but they can be a challenge. I find that a lot of good common sense, patience and of course a cold beer, are very import when sorting out problems when thing do not work. Our web site I have learned has some very talented guys here, and someone has had the same problem or has an idea on how to fix a certain problem someone is challenged with. Be safe, have fun, but most important, enjoy your car.
Best Regards
Dave
Dave
Lakeland, Florida, where we drive Topless every dayWhen I first bought my car, I had a problem with starting as well. My mechanic told me that with the battery up front, and the starter in the rear (a long way for the juice to travel), I needed a starter relay to give more power to turn things over. I had him install one close to the starter and never had a problem again…
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