Thread: Gav's 101.

A few days ago I went to move the 101 so I could get into my back yard and do a bit of a clean up. Jumped in, turned the key.... Click.... Not a solenoid on the starter click, just the crank relay click... Hmmm. Got my multi meter out, had 12 ish volts on the battery. Checked at the solenoid and had 12 volts there when the key was turned. Tried to bridge out the solenoid - zip. If I bridged out the main terminal, the starter would run, but without the solenoid operating, it doesn't engage...

So, next thought is 'how hard is it to hand crank start a 101'. Good thought, but I don't have a crank handle. A quick phone call to Mick, and an hour or so later and I'm back in my driveway with a crank handle. Well, what a waste of time that was. Young Army and RAF lads may have what it takes to crank a 3.5 V8, but as it turns out, I sure as **** don't...

So, last resort, pull the starter and see if I can fix it. As it turns out, a 101 start is about the easiest thing in the world to remove and 2 minutes later - I'm not kidding, 2 minutes - it was on the bench. Checked the solenoid with a meter, and it was open circuited - bugger. Got my soldering iron out and whipped the cap off the end anyway. Tested everything again - all good... Put it down to a dry joint on the cap. While I was at it I stripped everything, cleaned the main contacts up, pulled the motor apart - it is a reduction style starter - everything in good nick, just cleaned out the old hard grease and gave it some fresh stuff. Commutator was in very good nick. Put it all back together and bench tested it - bingo, all good. Bang it back in the 101 - it is dark by now, so it took 3 minutes to refit.... Turned the key.... and it cranked fast and started straight away. Yay...

Next day, go to move it again... Nothing... WTF? Checked for power at the solenoid while trying to crank - nothing.... Ok, got a different problem now....

So, I give the wiring a quick once over and found the issue - **** me I'm dumb sometimes.! When I rewired it, I found a break in the crank loom where someone had an immobiliser switch or something in the circuit, the wires were twisted together and had a connector on them. I removed the connector with the intention of soldering the joint up but guess who forgot to do that and has had a bare twisted crank wire hanging around the engine bay or 6 months...

Soldered that up and all is well with the world again.

Interesting how 2 different faults appeared at the same time though...

Makes you wonder what is yet to reveal itself.

Ron will be along to tell you how to crank the 101 - he is a good cranker .

I have done it a few times when my starter played up. Can be a bit cantankerous when cold but easy when warm.

Garry

Cranked mine many a time. there is no "feel the compression" just turn as fast as you can. the long arm takes out some of the torque shock.

As for double faults I swapped some webbers on a friends rally car but after a few miles it would splutter badly..Stripped cleaned reset carbs then back on..after a few miles the same...turned out to be a pinhole in the rad hose and when the pressue built up it squirted right into the carb mouth..

if you need to crank on gas (lpg) switch on ign then after a few secs it will auto cance..turn back onl..repeat this and the inlet will have a good dose of gas in it ..then with crank in place turn on and run to crank it.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Ron will be along to tell you how to crank the 101 - he is a good cranker .

I have done it a few times when my starter played up. Can be a bit cantankerous when cold but easy when warm.

Garry

Gav I am now in the over 50 club and not the biggest bloke around.
You need to get in shape.
I have a witnesses about 5 or 6 years ago now.
I came up to 4 101 landys with a crank handle.
3 of the 101s were unknown to me ........ie I did not know their starting tricks or if they were hot or cold.

Each one started easily in turn on the crank handle.

My 101 has been started with out too much trouble on the crankhandle from time to time usually when I forget to turn off the fridge.

In fact I did this from cold 2 weekends ago.
You need to full choke with ignition off no hand throttle for 3 or 4 turns slowly .........no need to bust a gut.
When you have the fuel in the jugs......ensuring the gearbox is in neutral and park brake on, turn on the ignition and just give the crank handle a 1/4 turn with a bit of force..........no need to do full turns and strain your self.
If the mixture is correct in the jugs the motor will start........a 1/4 turn will do it .
The 101 crank handle King.

We might ask Ron to give us a demonstration at Corowa

Mrs hh

Originally Posted by The ho har's

We might ask Ron to give us a demonstration at Corowa

Mrs hh

Line them up and I will.............diesels excluded.

Just a quick update - nothing really to report on the 101 - still need to fit the alternator when I get a moment and tidy up a few things.

I have provisional approval to take Thursday to Sunday off, so I MAY get to Corowa yet...

Fingers crossed.