Which Starter Solenoid
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi Guys,

Which starter solenoid should I be using, or does it not matter?!

The 3 terminal one http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=...id=34985&title=

or the 4 terminal one? http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=...id=33370&title=

The engine is a Metro Turbo one.

The description on the site implies i need the 4 terminal one, but is there much difference?

Cheers,

Simon

100% BMW Free

The four terminal is for a conventional distributor with points and a ballasted coil (the extra tag bypasses the ballast resistor wire when the engine is cranking so boosts the coil voltage).

If you have the electronic ignition type distributor - which you should have if it's from a Metro Turbo - and the wiring has been done correctly in the Mini, then you only need the 3 terminal one.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Thanks for the quick reply Rod. I'm running Megajolt so no distributor. Guess that means I can go for the 3 terminal one.

100% BMW Free

Yes, the single small terminal (flat tag) is just to operate it.
If you used the one with two small terminals you would have to figure out which was the operating one and which was the ballast bypass (which isn't needed in your case) but the rest is the same, so if you struggle to get the three terminal one, you can use the four but make sure you get the right tag to operate it and leave the other un-connected.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???