Testing my solenoid?

[pcatterall]

While changing my starter recently I inadvertantly left the insulating washer off the positeoise terminal on the starter. You can guess the result!
I believe my solenoid is now scrap! It did click but there was nothing across the heavy duty cables.
I removed it and find that when I connect the ignition switch lead tongue small terminal and ground the solenoid I still get the click but checking across the main terminals. Is still open circuit.


I guess it really is a goner but welcome advice! I wonder what is happening inside or if there is any point in taking it to bits( short of just interests sake) !
Cheers.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If you can get it apart (and back together again, some aren't designed to be dismantled) you could try cleaning the contacts on the heavy terminals. If successful, i'd carry a spare or keep that as a spare.

 

[elton]

I would take it apart, if only to see what broke. Anyway you may well find it repairable. There's not that much to go wrong.

 

[VicS]

You should be able to get a replacement solenoid for an inertia type starter without problems.

A local auto-electrician would be my first port of call, or from someone like Furneaux Riddall. There are also specialist alternator and starter motor repairers dotted about the place who you could try.

It hardly seems worth messing out with the old one, even if you can get it apart, other than for interest's sake

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks all,
Vehicle wiring UK have the exact one in stock and will courier it out in 48 hours £25 in total.
Meanwhile I can at least sort out the old wiring a bit!

 

[pcatterall]

New solenoid arrived, installed and working. Thanks all.
Old one dismantled, just had to drill some rivets out. Seems like a good clean of the contacts would have sorted it out but I will need to solder the terminal back on to test...it will go in the spares box!