The Ford Barn

Ralph 31 Model A · 11-03-2017, 03:17 PM

I have a 1931 Model "A", and the starter pedal won't depress? I have replaced the starter "push to start switch", but after installation the pedal still won't depress…that is I can't push it in to make the electrical connection which would / should engage the starter motor.
I took apart the old push to start switch, and found no issues. But to be safe I ordered a new one and the new push to start switch also doesn't depress. I removed the starter pedal, and all is good….anybody have a thought?

talwrench · 11-03-2017, 03:29 PM

Are u sure that the bendix is not stuck in the flywheel. If it is sruck, when u depress the started pedal nothing happens, and u think it is not engaging. Loosen the three starter bolts, if the bendix is stuck u will have to tap the rear of the starter until the bendix disengages. I usually back off the three bolts about 1/2" and then tap the rear of the starter. When starter breaks loose the bendix will return. Ask me how I know!!! Tim

JBill · 11-03-2017, 03:39 PM

This is stupid, but I have to say it. I hope you're not pushing on the accelerator foot rest. The starter rod and the rest look a little alike.

Jacksonlll · 11-03-2017, 03:57 PM

Put the car in gear and push it. If the engine will not turn, your starter is jammed.

Ralph 31 Model A · 11-03-2017, 04:03 PM

There are plenty of times in my life that I have been "stupid" but not this time. I have taken all the components apart - and I can't find a reason why the PEDAL WON'T DEPRESS.

please help.

JBill · 11-03-2017, 04:18 PM

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If, under the hood, you unscrew the starter rod and grip the stub from the switch by hand, can you depress it then? Or is it somehow sticking inside the switch itself? If you can depress it there, then somehow the rod is binding somewhere further up the line.

I really wasn't meaning to be insulting with the accelerator pedal thing. I was just trying to cover all the possible bases!

Gary WA · 11-03-2017, 04:48 PM

agree stuck starter!,broken spring on starter bendix jammed!

Tom Wesenberg · 11-03-2017, 04:56 PM

Turn on the headlights, then push the starter button. Do the lights dim, or does the starter button absolutely not move even a tiny bit?

Gary WA · 11-04-2017, 09:59 AM

Any results?

hastingsman · 06-17-2018, 08:46 PM

New guy here, dealing with a stuck starter today. My '29 has a new starter and fused starter switch on top of the starter. I had the same problem as above,starter button wouldn't depress. But, the engine turned when I pushed the car in gear. Turned out to be the shaft on the new starter switch jammed. I pulled the switch, unjammed it, and greased the shaft with some 90 weight differential grease. Here's hoping it's cured.

john in illinois · 06-18-2018, 08:04 AM

The reproduction stater switches have a softer u shaped contact spring and do not work very well or long. You are better off finding a good used original or using the Ford bronze spring and whatever parts you need from the reproduction.

Huntsman, Welcome to Ford Barn.

John

hastingsman · 06-19-2018, 01:45 PM

Well, the things I've learned already! The $22.50 repop starter switch was made with a hole too small for the shaft to have any adjustment room. It allowed for only one angle for the shaft to connect, making it jam prone. It was suggested elsewhere that the hole be enlarged or the innards taken from the repop and installed in an old switch housing. I did the latter, and it's working fine now- but for how long? If they are indeed inferior contact springs, perhaps I should undo yesterday's fixin' and attempt to cobble something together using the 2 old switches that came with the car.
It annoys me when I spend $$ on reproduced parts in an attempt at preventative maintenance only to return to making do with old parts. I am new at the Model A game, but have been in the car hobby for decades, and the quality problems are widespread.

Bob C · 06-19-2018, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hastingsman

Well, the things I've learned already! The $22.50 repop starter switch was made with a hole too small for the shaft to have any adjustment room. It allowed for only one angle for the shaft to connect, making it jam prone. It was suggested elsewhere that the hole be enlarged or the innards taken from the repop and installed in an old switch housing. I did the latter, and it's working fine now- but for how long? If they are indeed inferior contact springs, perhaps I should undo yesterday's fixin' and attempt to cobble something together using the 2 old switches that came with the car.
It annoys me when I spend $$ on reproduced parts in an attempt at preventative maintenance only to return to making do with old parts. I am new at the Model A game, but have been in the car hobby for decades, and the quality problems are widespread.

Get used to it, a lot of the parts need some work.

Bob

Chris Haynes · 06-20-2018, 09:51 PM

:d .

Chris Haynes · 06-20-2018, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

agree stuck starter!,broken spring on starter bendix jammed!

Disagree. He isn't saying the starter isn't working. He is saying that the rod won't depress.

GRutter · 06-21-2018, 04:54 PM

The only reason I could think of as to why the pedal wont depress is if the bottom of the pedal is bottoming out on the floor-board. Back off the threads where the starter rod enters the starter switch and that will increase your travel. Use a lock-nut on the threaded portion of the shaft to insure the rod can't come loose from the switch.

11-03-2017, 03:17 PM	#1
Ralph 31 Model A Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bedminster, NJ Posts: 7	1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress I have a 1931 Model "A", and the starter pedal won't depress? I have replaced the starter "push to start switch", but after installation the pedal still won't depress…that is I can't push it in to make the electrical connection which would / should engage the starter motor. I took apart the old push to start switch, and found no issues. But to be safe I ordered a new one and the new push to start switch also doesn't depress. I removed the starter pedal, and all is good….anybody have a thought?

11-03-2017, 03:29 PM	#2
talwrench Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Quakertown, PA Posts: 73	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress Are u sure that the bendix is not stuck in the flywheel. If it is sruck, when u depress the started pedal nothing happens, and u think it is not engaging. Loosen the three starter bolts, if the bendix is stuck u will have to tap the rear of the starter until the bendix disengages. I usually back off the three bolts about 1/2" and then tap the rear of the starter. When starter breaks loose the bendix will return. Ask me how I know!!! Tim

11-03-2017, 03:39 PM	#3
JBill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 702	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress This is stupid, but I have to say it. I hope you're not pushing on the accelerator foot rest. The starter rod and the rest look a little alike.

11-03-2017, 03:57 PM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress Put the car in gear and push it. If the engine will not turn, your starter is jammed.

11-03-2017, 04:03 PM	#5
Ralph 31 Model A Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bedminster, NJ Posts: 7	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress There are plenty of times in my life that I have been "stupid" but not this time. I have taken all the components apart - and I can't find a reason why the PEDAL WON'T DEPRESS. please help.

11-03-2017, 04:18 PM	#6
JBill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 702	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If, under the hood, you unscrew the starter rod and grip the stub from the switch by hand, can you depress it then? Or is it somehow sticking inside the switch itself? If you can depress it there, then somehow the rod is binding somewhere further up the line. I really wasn't meaning to be insulting with the accelerator pedal thing. I was just trying to cover all the possible bases!

11-03-2017, 04:56 PM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress Turn on the headlights, then push the starter button. Do the lights dim, or does the starter button absolutely not move even a tiny bit?

06-17-2018, 08:46 PM	#10
hastingsman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: 35 miles south of Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 16	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress New guy here, dealing with a stuck starter today. My '29 has a new starter and fused starter switch on top of the starter. I had the same problem as above,starter button wouldn't depress. But, the engine turned when I pushed the car in gear. Turned out to be the shaft on the new starter switch jammed. I pulled the switch, unjammed it, and greased the shaft with some 90 weight differential grease. Here's hoping it's cured.

06-18-2018, 08:04 AM	#11
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress The reproduction stater switches have a softer u shaped contact spring and do not work very well or long. You are better off finding a good used original or using the Ford bronze spring and whatever parts you need from the reproduction. Huntsman, Welcome to Ford Barn. John

06-19-2018, 01:45 PM	#12
hastingsman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: 35 miles south of Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 16	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress Well, the things I've learned already! The $22.50 repop starter switch was made with a hole too small for the shaft to have any adjustment room. It allowed for only one angle for the shaft to connect, making it jam prone. It was suggested elsewhere that the hole be enlarged or the innards taken from the repop and installed in an old switch housing. I did the latter, and it's working fine now- but for how long? If they are indeed inferior contact springs, perhaps I should undo yesterday's fixin' and attempt to cobble something together using the 2 old switches that came with the car. It annoys me when I spend $$ on reproduced parts in an attempt at preventative maintenance only to return to making do with old parts. I am new at the Model A game, but have been in the car hobby for decades, and the quality problems are widespread.

06-20-2018, 09:51 PM	#14
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress :d .

06-21-2018, 04:54 PM	#16
GRutter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Mint Hill, North Carolina Posts: 386	Re: 1931 Model "A" starter pedal won't depress The only reason I could think of as to why the pedal wont depress is if the bottom of the pedal is bottoming out on the floor-board. Back off the threads where the starter rod enters the starter switch and that will increase your travel. Use a lock-nut on the threaded portion of the shaft to insure the rod can't come loose from the switch.