The Ford Barn

DLR · 07-14-2023, 06:52 AM

Still hunting down a short and opened up the starter switch. Not sure if this is the cause or the result of the switch.

Has anyone experienced this with a starter switch?

Terry,OH · 07-14-2023, 08:03 AM

The starter motor pulls a lot of current when energized as well as deenergizing. This high current will cause arcing and pitting of the switch contacts. What you have found is not unusual for a used switch. I always press down on the start pedal firmly and quickly to start, this MAY eliminate some of the arcing.
Your photo does not appear to be the cause of the short circuit.

Flathead Fever · 07-14-2023, 10:22 AM

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If it was short to ground the case would have a burn spot and not the contacts. A short somewhere else in the circuit could pull so much current it could melt those contacts. That would be a big-short, a major cable or the starter itself, arc welder type sparks.

07-14-2023, 08:03 AM	#2
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,186	Re: 1934 Starter switch The starter motor pulls a lot of current when energized as well as deenergizing. This high current will cause arcing and pitting of the switch contacts. What you have found is not unusual for a used switch. I always press down on the start pedal firmly and quickly to start, this MAY eliminate some of the arcing. Your photo does not appear to be the cause of the short circuit.

07-14-2023, 10:22 AM	#3
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,360	Re: 1934 Starter switch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If it was short to ground the case would have a burn spot and not the contacts. A short somewhere else in the circuit could pull so much current it could melt those contacts. That would be a big-short, a major cable or the starter itself, arc welder type sparks.