Solenoid clicking. Won't start

[busmania]

I have this on Facebook too but id really like to be driving this weekend so I figured I would post here.

When I hit the starter button, I get a click at the solenoid. No big deal I thought, my solenoid is bad. Nope, bought a new one and it does the same thing. Less than 300 miles on fresh build so everything is "new" but we know how that is...

Things I've checked
Removed and cleaned all connections
tried two batteries (both over 12 volts charged)
Removed starter and cleaned where it attaches.
Cleaned grounds (again).

My ground goes from battery to firewall and then firewall to engine (manifold). Do I also need one from engine to frame?

What can I be missing? It is a "new" power master starter and I know these can be finicky. Today I plan to remove it again and bench test it and possibly try the original starter that I bench tested last night.

What do y'all think?

[deuce5wndw]

I would pull the starter like you mentioned. Did you try to turn the engine by hand? starter might be locked up.

[KiWinUS]

Is it a gear reduction starter with its own solenoid. Pic may help.

[Seth Swoboda]

Is it a stock starter or some kind of aftermarket thing? Your starter drive might be stuck. Put the car in 3rd gear and rock it back and forth to get the starter drive loose. Don't pull the starter until you try this.

It happens from time to time, especially with 12 volts.

Do yourself a favor and stay off the facebook pages. I look at them too, but mostly for the entertainment from those who give bad advise. The pros are here and the EFV8 Club.

[busmania]

Yeah, I know about the Facebook pages. Just not trying to bombard you all with every single question that I have. I have a lot of them!

The engine turned over fine when I had to starter out. It is an aftermarket powermaster starter. I know, not great. That’s why I may throw in my original 6 V today. The gear on the starter turned just fine. Would another part lock up or just the small gear on the end?

[marko39]

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To eliminate the solenoid apply power directly to starter, if no go starter is problem.

[busmania]

Marko, is that as simple as a jumper wire from + side of battery to the terminal on the starter?

I just tried a jumper wire from small post on solenoid to big post on solenoid going to the starter and nothing happens (no click). When I go jumper wire from + side of battery to small post on solenoid, it clicks like when I’m trying to start it n

[Seth Swoboda]

Did you try rocking the car back and forth in 3rd gear?

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by busmania

Yeah, I know about the Facebook pages. Just not trying to bombard you all with every single question that I have. I have a lot of them!

The engine turned over fine when I had to starter out. It is an aftermarket powermaster starter. I know, not great. That’s why I may throw in my original 6 V today. The gear on the starter turned just fine. Would another part lock up or just the small gear on the end?

The Powermaster starter I had in my 8ba stopped working. When I took it apart it was completely destroyed. Plastic parts and a small unit inside a stock looking case. Worthless POS IMO. Do yourself a favor and ditch the Powermaster. I purchased a new 12 volt unit with an original style USA made Bendix from Joe's Antique Auto. All is good. Van Pelt's sells one as well.

[busmania]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Did you try rocking the car back and forth in 3rd gear?

It’s on jackstands so I have not done that yet. I’ll do that as my next move before I take the starter out again.

[busmania]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

The Powermaster starter I had in my 8ba stopped working. When I took it apart it was completely destroyed. Plastic parts and a small unit inside a stock looking case. Worthless POS IMO. Do yourself a favor and ditch the Powermaster. I purchased a new 12 volt unit with an original style USA made Bendix from Joe's Antique Auto. All is good. Van Pelt's sells one as well.

I have a feeling it’s the POS starter. Will try my other starter later today.

[Seth Swoboda]

You can run a Ford 6v starter on 12v without problems.

[51504bat]

If you determine it's the starter disassemble it. If the failure was like mine you'll be shocked at what the innards look like.

[marko39]

Originally Posted by busmania

Marko, is that as simple as a jumper wire from + side of battery to the terminal on the starter?

I just tried a jumper wire from small post on solenoid to big post on solenoid going to the starter and nothing happens (no click). When I go jumper wire from + side of battery to small post on solenoid, it clicks like when I’m trying to start it n

Yes, use like a heavy wire or jumper cable.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by busmania

Yeah, I know about the Facebook pages. Just not trying to bombard you all with every single question that I have. I have a lot of them!

The engine turned over fine when I had to starter out. It is an aftermarket powermaster starter. I know, not great. That’s why I may throw in my original 6 V today. The gear on the starter turned just fine. Would another part lock up or just the small gear on the end?

There’s your problem!

[cadillac512]

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Power...rter,2404.html


This is the good Powermaster starter. The one that looks like a normal flathead starter...not so much.

[busmania]

Wow, it’s not that I didn’t believe the power master was a POS but I didn’t want to accept it. Just took the power master off again and failed the bench test. Put in an original 6 V unit and no problems. Looks like I’ll be driving this weekend after all. Thanks everybody. I will take photos of the inside of the power master when I take it apart and post them here.

Question on the original unit. The post that the battery connects to seems to spin and the nut holding the cable on is snug but not tight (it just spins the post). Is this gonna bite me? I really only need this starter to get me to the point of getting a new USA made unit (which seem to be sold out).

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by busmania

Wow, it’s not that I didn’t believe the power master was a POS but I didn’t want to accept it. Just took the power master off again and failed the bench test. Put in an original 6 V unit and no problems. Looks like I’ll be driving this weekend after all. Thanks everybody. I will take photos of the inside of the power master when I take it apart and post them here.

Most of the time you can't get any better than the original Ford parts.

[busmania]

I know. When I started this car I knew close to nothing about ford and because I could afford it at the time (I’m self employed so the future is always murky) I bought all the parts I’d need for the project, including the starter which didn’t get installed until a year after I bought it. Then in that course of the year I read all about how bad these starters were and hoped to get lucky. I didn’t. Lesson learned!

[cadillac512]

The post shouldn't spin, and yeah it might bite you BUT a push start and you're on your way.