Solenoid

[Peter J Larsen]

last weekend, could not start the car, no click, no turnover nothing.
Checked all connection Battery / ground engine/ ground Battery in good shape. kicked the the starter etc.
So I decided to change the solenoid and having the new in car started
prompt.
Last time i put a new one in was 3 1/2 years ago.
Question how long should they last ?
How can you check a solenoid, if it is off he car??

thks
Peter

[Cheleker]

Starter solenoids can last for decades, or, like the new one I put on the Estate for the 6000 mile trip last summer, they can go out in less than 600 miles. A properly built one should go for more than 10 years in a Mini.

Hook an ohm meter across the two big terminals. Supply 12V to the ignition tab and see if the ohm meter shows you have a circuit between the two poles.