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Bomber electrics problem

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royhall:
Hi. Got a weird problem that I haven't encountered before. Using the starter on the Bomber, the engine turns slowly and you get just 3 to 4 presses on the button before the battery goes dead. The engine does not start. This problem came on suddenly rather than getting progressively worse. The battery is pulled down immediately to about 5 volts. I guessed the battery was done so I replaced it with a standard lead acid type but it does exactly the same. I have taken the starter motor off and tried it on the bench but it seems to spin okay. I have a rebuild kit for the motor so I will rebuild it before it goes back on.  Other than checking all the earths I am at a loss, any ideas out there. Thanks.

Deano400:
Hi Roy. Never worked on a Bomber before but I guess starter circuit can’t be much different to a 400/4. Battery connection to starter solenoid, solenoid connection to starter motor. So, if all the connections are ok and you have good earth to me that only leaves the starter solenoid. You could disconnect the battery and starter leads from the solenoid and use a meter on ohms setting to check the solenoid contacts. Will be open circuit until you press the starter button then should go to 0 (short circuit). If there is a high resistance, then that could be your issue.

royhall:
Thanks Deano. To be honest most of the components in the starter circuit are 57 years old so I am thinking of rebuilding the starter motor, replacing the solenoid, checking all the leads and cleaning the contacts so everything is new. Don't know why I didn't do that at the rebuild as I replaced virtually everything else.

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McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
In my experience albeit mainly automotive of almost 60 years the order of decline has been as follows.
1. Poor earths.
2. Solenoids.
3. Main leads.
4. Starter motors.

royhall:
Whatever it is it's serious. It pulls a new fully charged battery down to 5 volts in about 4 goes. That's a huge drain comparable to a full short circuit, maybe a chafed lead earthing on the engine. It must be between the solenoid and and (or) the motor as the battery stays fully charged until the button is pressed. And as I say it started suddenly, one day fine next day doing this.

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