Starter Switch Question

[JKY]

I have an A I'm looking as a potential purchase, 29 Fordor. When we went to see it the owner tells me the starter just spins when the battery is connected. We look at the starter switch and it appears to be stuck in the start position. Checking his parts stash we find a new switch. We put it on to get it going but the starter rod is stuck and won't depress. I assume it's out of alignment and that's what caused the old switch to fail, he pushed it in and it wouldn't retract so the starter just kept spinning.

The fellow is not to mechanically sauve and insists that he needs to take the starter in to be repaired.

Is there any adjustment to the starter rod I can make to get it to free up?

Thanks!

[1930artdeco]

Just u screw it and reattach the rod to the new one. You may want to pull it to verify that the be did is working properly.

Mike

[JKY]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Just u screw it and reattach the rod to the new one. You may want to pull it to verify that the be did is working properly.

Mike

Thanks, we did that. Once installed the rod is stuck and won't slide up or down.

[Will N]

The rod passes through a grommet in the firewall. Could be the rod is binding in the grommet. Disconnect the rod from the switch, and see if the rod moves freely. If not squirt some oil on the grommet and work it back and forth until it moves freely.

[Gary WA]

Remove starter check Bendix. Low battery. One of my cars did the same thing yesterday, Battery showed 6volts but as soon as hit starter not enough! Battery was 5 years old. New battery running Great.

[JKY]

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Thanks all. I'll give these a try.

[katy]

Originally Posted by Will N

The rod passes through a grommet in the firewall. Could be the rod is binding in the grommet. Disconnect the rod from the switch, and see if the rod moves freely. If not squirt some oil on the grommet and work it back and forth until it moves freely.

Alternately, tie a string under the head of the starter push rod, after pushing the rod to engage the starter and start the engine, pull the string to disengage the starter.

[Jacksonlll]

It could be that the engine has shifted and put the rod into a bind. This happens often with the choke rod. See if the choke rod is free to slide. There is nothing to the starter switch. Take it apart and see what is wrong. I'm pretty sure it's not the starter motor.

[Charlie Stephens]

Time to get out the hand crank. Worry about fixing the starter motor later if you buy it. Another topic, remember THERE IS A LOT OF WOOD IN A '29 FORDOR. If the wood is bad its costs a lot to replace it. You should add your general location to your profile, you can never tell when it will pay off.

Charlie Stephens

[ryanheacox]

I remember reading something about the new switches binding. Can't remember anything more but I'll look for the thread that mentions it. Probably a Vintique part.

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by JKY

I have an A I'm looking as a potential purchase, 29 Fordor. When we went to see it the owner tells me the starter just spins when the battery is connected. We look at the starter switch and it appears to be stuck in the start position. Checking his parts stash we find a new switch. We put it on to get it going but the starter rod is stuck and won't depress. I assume it's out of alignment and that's what caused the old switch to fail, he pushed it in and it wouldn't retract so the starter just kept spinning.

The fellow is not to mechanically sauve and insists that he needs to take the starter in to be repaired.

Is there any adjustment to the starter rod I can make to get it to free up?

Thanks!

Did you get it started and then buy it??

[burner31]

My solution would be to knock a thousand dollars off the asking price

[bobbader]

Could be an early 28 starter which takes a totally different switch. If you remove the switch, there should be an insulated copper button about the diameter of a quarter protruding from the starter. It should be flat across its top and the copper should be about 1/8" thick. If, instead, the copper post is much taller than 1/8" on the front side and the top of the button looks like a ski slope (about 5/8" at highest point toward front of the car and sloping down to 1/8" in back) then the car has the earlier starter. reproduction switches for this starter are not made and you need to search for an original switch. I don't know if the newer type switch will even mount on the early starter but, if it does, there will be an immediate and constant electrical contact made which will cause the starter to run continuously once it is hooked up to a power source.
The good part is, if it has the early starter, it is easy enough to swap it for the later version and hope that that cures this and any other starting/running issues the vehicle has. If not, the "$1000 off the top of the price" is a more than viable suggestion.

Good Luck,

Bob Bader

[McMimmcs]

I suggest you start it with the crank. If it starts the problem is not too serious and should not be a deal breaker. It’s likely a tinkering type of problem. Happy driving!

[JKY]

Originally Posted by Gary WA

Did you get it started and then buy it??

Yes, he found a used switch that fit and worked. The new one in the parts box was junk. I bought it.

[JKY]

Originally Posted by burner31

My solution would be to knock a thousand dollars off the asking price

Didn't want to buy it without running and driving it.

[JKY]

Double post, sorry