Starter button woes

[storyteller]

I can only start my '39 flathead by pushing down on the solenoid button. Runs great. I checked the switch, it is OK. Ground wire from the switch to the solenoid checks OK. I grounded the small terminal on the solenoid directly to the engine, nothing happened. I have all new cables,etc. The solenoid is new also. (tried replacing that with another new one, no go.) I know the solenoid is nothing but a switch to send power to the starter or to feed the rest of the system with power. I have the hot wires on the right side of the solenoid as viewed from the front of the car and the starter cable hooked to the left side. One confusing thing is that the solenoids are embossed with BAT on the left side. Any ideas? By the way, this was the way it was wired before restoration.

[JSeery]

It has to be wired the correct way, the way it works is the BAT side of the solenoid is connected internal to the coil that pulls the switch in. The other end of the coil is connected to the start button. If connected up wrong nothing will happen. Easy to check with an ohm meter.

Edit: "One confusing thing is that the solenoids are embossed with BAT on the left side." Might want to listen to what the solenoid is telling you!!!

[JT FORD]

I installed a new one on my '49 a few years ago and the cables had to be reversed to work!

[storyteller]

Thanks, It works fine now.

[storyteller]

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Yep, reversed the terminals and it works fine now. Thanks