Dead

[1931 flamingo]

Had the 40 running yesterday. Went out today to go for a ride (high 60's here and beautiful) Got a partial revolution. Then nothing. I don't believe the Bendix is jammed. Ck'd batt, it is 6.3 volts. Tried the button on the f/wall mounted solenoid. Again nothing. Didn't have time to t/shoot further.
Suggestions??
Paul in CT

[51504bat]

Don't rule out a stuck Bendix. Put the trans in high gear and rock it back and forth. Hopefully that's the problem and not something more serious.

[Zax40]

If you have enough room and can get it moving you could try a roll start. If it starts let it run a while then cut it off and try with the starter again. In my experience the symptoms you are having are usually from a corroded or loose connection in the starting circuit somewhere.

[petehoovie]

I agree with 51504bat above.

Also, at the battery, clean up the battery cable connections...

[Ggmac]

If tat doesnt work , pull the plugs and try cranking .

[Ronnieroadster]

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Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Had the 40 running yesterday. Went out today to go for a ride (high 60's here and beautiful) Got a partial revolution. Then nothing. I don't believe the Bendix is jammed. Ck'd batt, it is 6.3 volts. Tried the button on the f/wall mounted solenoid. Again nothing. Didn't have time to t/shoot further.
Suggestions??
Paul in CT

Paul since you tried the button under the solenoid and that did nothing. The next simple test to conduct would be this.
Put your head lights on then once again use the push button under the solenoid. If the head lights dim that would be an indication the Bendix is bound up into the ring gear. Or there's a loose battery cable someplace.
A bound up starter some times can be unlocked by rocking the car while its in gear but this takes a lot of physical force.
Ronnieroadster

[Talkwrench]

Hopefully not water in the cylinder like me....

[Rand]

No help from me... But I can relate.
I got no spark and can't figure out why?

[swedishsteel]

Clean the battery connections and make sure they are tight, especially if this is first or second drive after sitting all winter. Moisture from the air seeps in and corrosion happens. Been there many times with vehicles and machinery that doesn't get used regularly. Or the battery just reached the end of the line. Good luck.

[1931 flamingo]

All the batt connections are good/tight. Will try to get the wife to help "rock" it. Went thru the starter last year (long story).
Thanks guys.
Keep 'em coming.
Paul in CT

[Frank Miller]

Someone mentioned the hydrolock, try pulling the plugs and spinning it if all else fails.

[1931 flamingo]

Wife and I rocked it back and forth as well as we couuld.
Still have 6.3 volts at the batt and to the sol. Everything else id dead, no lights, elec fuel pump, etc.


Any new thoughts??
Paul in CT

[Art Newland]

Has to be dead battery or bad connections.

[petehoovie]

Did you actually remove and clean the battery cables and battery posts?

[Zeke3]

Did you let the smoke out? Check out the wiring diagram for the model of 1940 you have on Mac Van Pelt's website and try checking the locations from the battery for power. It looks like the horns are on a different path from the solenoid than all the other electrics on the vehicle. Do the horns still work?

Good luck with your search.

[Art Newland]

If you can check the battery voltage while you try to crank it, or just turn on the headlights, I bet the battery drops to zero. If the battery voltage stays up, then has to be a bad connection.

[deuce_roadster]

The ground side of the circuit is just as important as the "Hot" side. Poor ground is like a dead battery. How old is the battery?

[39portlander]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

The ground side of the circuit is just as important as the "Hot" side. Poor ground is like a dead battery. How old is the battery?

The 6V group 1 battery last a little longer if a battery tender is used when not driven but still need replacement more often than others.

Paul is there an inline auto-fuse somewhere ? Curious how you make out.

I do HVAC work and its not un-common to shut off an old service switch and when you "try" to turn it back on after a service no power. Sure enough a failed switch, something simple can give us fits.

[Frank Miller]

A few years ago I took my dad's Model a to get a sticker and they told me to come back the next day. the next day the car would not start. Battery completely went in the course of 24 hours. It happens.

[54vicky]

as others have suggested a load test on battery