I'm rebuilding a competition car based on a 1988 Lancia Delta HF and believe I have an issue with the starter motor. After fitting a fresh battery and ensuring that the kill-switch is on, 12.4 volts is measured between the +ve input pin of the solenoid and the ground strap bolted to the bellhousing / starter motor securing bolt.
Applying a +ve 12 volt feed to the exciter pin yields nothing at all. There is not even the usual "CLICK!" associated with solenoid operation. I've tried tapping the body of the unit with a hammer which has done nothing. For my next step I was thinking about pulling the starter from the car and bench testing it. However, I wondered if there was anything else I can try? I have considered using something fairly heady duty to bridge the posts on the solenoid. Is this a bad idea?
Also, if the fault lies with the solenoid, is it possible to strip it down and rebuild it or is it simply a case of replacement? The start motor is a Magnetti Marelli unit. The car is running a significantly stripped back non-standard wiring loom but the starter circuit is fairly straight forward.
Edit 1: Updated information
I've tried bridging the two terminals on the solenoid with a jump cable connected between the starter earthing point and the battery -ve terminal. This yielded nothing, not even a spark at the terminals.
I've also tried attaching a +ve jumper cable directly to the starter motors +ve input terminal and still nothing.
I suspect I have no alternative but to unbolt the start from the bell housing and strip it on the bench.