Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-28-2020, 01:28 PM   #1
rhoadesm64
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 11
Default Starter Switch Alignment

My"A" has been starting with no issues until recently. Push starter rod and get nothing, this has happened before just after I put the new starter switch on. When I removed the switched I noticed that the alignment between the switch and the starter button is off. Is there a trick to get these to align for better contact? BTW, the safety fuse is on top of the switch not under it.

Thanks
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_20200628_124946.jpg (52.1 KB, 129 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_20200628_125000.jpg (24.3 KB, 115 views)
rhoadesm64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 02:12 AM   #2
jw hash
Senior Member
 
jw hash's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auburn Washington
Posts: 2,552
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

take your switch apart and twist the copper contact. so it contacts flat.
jw hash is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 06-29-2020, 04:57 AM   #3
Werner
Senior Member
 
Werner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Germany, near Aachen
Posts: 1,157
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Guten Morgen!

This fuse does not secure the starter (they very rarely have a high-current fuse) but only the current that is tapped there for the rest of the car electronics.

Your two contact areas are not parallel. You can bend that a little.

It is important during the starting process to always press the start pedal very hard so that the contacts touches well.
__________________
Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland,
Werner


Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928
Citroen 11 CV, 1947
Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version
Werner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 06:08 AM   #4
DNLs1930
Senior Member
 
DNLs1930's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Fort Worth side of DFW
Posts: 171
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Quote:
Originally Posted by rhoadesm64 View Post
My"A" has been starting with no issues until recently. Push starter rod and get nothing, this has happened before just after I put the new starter switch on. When I removed the switched I noticed that the alignment between the switch and the starter button is off. Is there a trick to get these to align for better contact? BTW, the safety fuse is on top of the switch not under it.

Thanks
I had the same issue and it looks like you have your fuse holder installed UNDER the starter switch.

With the fuse holder under the starter switch it induces an angle to the stater housing which results in the single point of contact on the starter switch contacts. There is too much amperage flowing through the small contact area and it arcs and sparks until it burns the surface and prevents electrical flow.

Remove the starter switch and install the starter switch directly to the starter housing and the fuse holder ON TOP of the starter switch housing.



Clean both of your starter contacts before reinstalling so you have the full contact surface.


GUESS I SHOULD HAVE READ THE ENTIRE POST...SORRY

Last edited by DNLs1930; 06-29-2020 at 06:13 AM.
DNLs1930 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 06:57 AM   #5
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,098
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

X2 with JW and also make sure that the copper strip in the switch is not twisted so that it is not rubbing on one side or the other. If it wears through the cardboard it will short out.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 08:56 AM   #6
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,466
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I compared a reproduction switch to 2 NOS original switches that I have. The contact strip in an original starter switch is a stiff flat spring, unlike the soft copper strip in the reproduction switch. I think the original contract strip is made of either a hardened copper or a beryllium copper.

Things that go wrong with a reproduction switch are:
>Contact strip bends, and eventually rubs through the card stock insulator and short circuits violently;
>Contact bends and makes poor contact with the starter contact button;
>Contact strip sticks to the starter button, so the motor does not shutoff.
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 09:00 AM   #7
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

The strip on the reproduction switches is not very springy unlike the originals, so it bends way too easy. Like Bob said, the repro one is made of copper. Originals I think were some kind of copper alloy.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 05:53 PM   #8
rhoadesm64
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 11
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Thanks for all the helpful information. I think my main issue is the bendix getting stuck. I removed the started, checked it, and then put it back on. Starter worked just fine. This is the 3rd time this has happened since I have owned this truck.
rhoadesm64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 06:06 PM   #9
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,339
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Quote:
Originally Posted by rhoadesm64 View Post
Thanks for all the helpful information. I think my main issue is the bendix getting stuck. I removed the started, checked it, and then put it back on. Starter worked just fine. This is the 3rd time this has happened since I have owned this truck.
Have you thought about getting a Modern Starter Drive?
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2020, 11:41 PM   #10
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

If the Bendix gets stuck engaged, , a trick is with the motor off and car in gear, rock the car reverse/forward until the Bendix releases.. Most of the time the Bendix will release


If having a hard time starting and repeatedly pressing the starter with your foot, pause between tries to ensure the bendix has completely disengaged before trying again. Doing it too quickly can be a cause of stuck Bendix.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 05:09 AM   #11
Werner
Senior Member
 
Werner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Germany, near Aachen
Posts: 1,157
Default Re: Starter Switch Alignment

Guten Tag!

Tip: The Bendix should not be lubricated. Neither the helical gear nor the drive and flywheel teeth. Contaminate grease and oil + dust and the Bendix becomes too sluggish.

The oil vapor in the housing is sufficient.
__________________
Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland,
Werner


Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928
Citroen 11 CV, 1947
Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version
Werner is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 PM.