Starter bindex?

[Mr. T]

Hey Guys,

With a bit of sunshine on Sunday afternoon, I went for a stroll in my b. In my community, about a 1/4 mile from my house it shuts down - able to coast within a couple hundred yards from house and walk it into my garage. Damn lucky, because I had been cruising around Annapolis and had gone across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to and from.

Anyway, after parking in the garage, I turned the key and no ticking from fuel pump, but noise coming from starter - getting late so decided to investigate when I had more time. Just went out to spend a little time on problem. Son turns key while I'm under the car and fuel pump ticks now - so working. Starter making winding/tapping noise and no load - so no engagement with flywheel.

Do you'll think the bendix spring or retainer is broken? Can I get a replacement or do I have to buy another starter? If I have to buy a (small) starter, any recommendations on where to purchase - quick?

[WedgeWorks1]

Tony,

Do you need the standard later Rover style high torque that is horizontal for the solenoid? or the kind the points straight down? I have one of each the late high torque and the early Rover 3500s style.

[Mr. T]

Mike - It's the horizontal high torque - compact compared to other starters I've replaced way in the past. If you could PM with your #, I'll give you a shout if I need one + it would give me the opportunity to take a peak at that chunk of aluminum with 8 large holes - unless it's been quarantined!

Unusual for the starter to go bad while driving - maybe alternator. Coincidentally (maybe not), I replaced a battery terminal the week before, so I'm going to double-check connections.

Thanks, Tony

[ex-tyke]

....so I'm going to double-check connections

.
That's the first thing I'd check Tony - even go as far as a direct battery hookup to the starter to check function. The fact that the car shut down can also be attributed to a bad/dead battery or connection issue with the charging circuit. (been there - done that!)

[Mr. T]

Will do Graham. Hope that's the issue. Although, probably not a bad idea to have an extra starter/alternator around.