The Ford Barn

29Coupe · 09-26-2010, 07:25 PM

Hey guys, newbie here needs some help!

I've got a stock '29 Tudor Sedan.

The starter rod, that connects from the foot pedal to the starter, sticks inside the starter when pushed down. When I go to turn the ignition key off, the starter is still running.
So I either have to get our of the car and pull up on the rod. Or, I disconnect the battery, then get out and pull up on the rod.

Is there an easy fix to "unstick" the rod?

Thanks!
Jeremy

Vanspeed · 09-26-2010, 07:47 PM

Your spring is broke inside the starter button?

Tom Endy · 09-26-2010, 07:51 PM

The arm on the starter switch relies on its own tension to spring it back away from the contact button on the starter. The originals I am told were made of bronze, which has more internal spring tension than brass. The reproduction switches are made of brass.

I observed a repair being made to a sticking starter switch while on a tour. The owner cut a short length of heater hose and slipped it over the switch arm to provide more spring tension. It worked!

Tom Endy

Gary WA · 09-26-2010, 08:44 PM

Remove Battery cable/starter switch(4 Screws) Flip over you'll see how it works!Good luck.You can clean contacts while its off a little sanding or file.

29Coupe · 09-26-2010, 08:58 PM

Perfect! Thanks!!

-Jeremy

Aerocraft · 09-27-2010, 08:04 AM

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I suggest that you disassemble the starter switch in order to inspect the moveable contact. When the contact "sticks" it is often a case of the material being cracked under the copper attachment bolt. The crack makes the material less "springy", allowing the contact point to become "sticky". It won't take long for that crack to cause the material to fail. Disengaging the starter at that point is a serious problem. Gar Williams

Farrell In Vancouver · 09-27-2010, 08:23 AM

Is your starter labouring when activated?
Battery holding full charge?
Hoe long are you cranking before she starts?
Sometimes the current draw is so high the heat will build up in the contact so much that the "Spring" is all but gone in the switch.
I have seen them weld themselves together due to a high draw on the starter.
Like the guys mention above, take it apart and check the contacts, but be sure the battery is up to snuff and allow the starter to cool after fifteen seconds of use if she's a hard start.

Mountain Dew · 09-27-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

Your spring is broke inside the starter button?

What spring?

Gary WA · 09-27-2010, 08:41 PM

On top of the starter where the rod screws into is the switch 4 screws remove flip over you will see it.

Jordan · 09-27-2010, 08:55 PM

this happened to me. I disconnected the battery, and took off the starter switch. i took some sand paper, and filed the brass on the starter switch, and on the starter. What happens is there gets to be a "high"point on either one, and all the electricity travels through that one small point since it makes contact first, which then gets hot enough to fuse the two pieces together.

09-26-2010, 07:25 PM	#1
29Coupe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 107	Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Hey guys, newbie here needs some help! I've got a stock '29 Tudor Sedan. The starter rod, that connects from the foot pedal to the starter, sticks inside the starter when pushed down. When I go to turn the ignition key off, the starter is still running. So I either have to get our of the car and pull up on the rod. Or, I disconnect the battery, then get out and pull up on the rod. Is there an easy fix to "unstick" the rod? Thanks! Jeremy __________________ Atomic Batteries to Power... Turbines to Speed...

09-26-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,384	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Your spring is broke inside the starter button? __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

09-26-2010, 07:51 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan The arm on the starter switch relies on its own tension to spring it back away from the contact button on the starter. The originals I am told were made of bronze, which has more internal spring tension than brass. The reproduction switches are made of brass. I observed a repair being made to a sticking starter switch while on a tour. The owner cut a short length of heater hose and slipped it over the switch arm to provide more spring tension. It worked! Tom Endy

09-26-2010, 08:44 PM	#4
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,104	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Remove Battery cable/starter switch(4 Screws) Flip over you'll see how it works!Good luck.You can clean contacts while its off a little sanding or file. Last edited by Gary WA; 09-26-2010 at 08:45 PM. Reason: add info

09-26-2010, 08:58 PM	#5
29Coupe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 107	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Perfect! Thanks!! -Jeremy __________________ Atomic Batteries to Power... Turbines to Speed...

09-27-2010, 08:04 AM	#6
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I suggest that you disassemble the starter switch in order to inspect the moveable contact. When the contact "sticks" it is often a case of the material being cracked under the copper attachment bolt. The crack makes the material less "springy", allowing the contact point to become "sticky". It won't take long for that crack to cause the material to fail. Disengaging the starter at that point is a serious problem. Gar Williams

09-27-2010, 08:23 AM	#7
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan Is your starter labouring when activated? Battery holding full charge? Hoe long are you cranking before she starts? Sometimes the current draw is so high the heat will build up in the contact so much that the "Spring" is all but gone in the switch. I have seen them weld themselves together due to a high draw on the starter. Like the guys mention above, take it apart and check the contacts, but be sure the battery is up to snuff and allow the starter to cool after fifteen seconds of use if she's a hard start.

09-27-2010, 08:41 PM	#9
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,104	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan On top of the starter where the rod screws into is the switch 4 screws remove flip over you will see it. Last edited by Gary WA; 05-20-2011 at 06:07 PM.

09-27-2010, 08:55 PM	#10
Jordan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 1,006	Re: Starter Sticks on stock '29 Sedan this happened to me. I disconnected the battery, and took off the starter switch. i took some sand paper, and filed the brass on the starter switch, and on the starter. What happens is there gets to be a "high"point on either one, and all the electricity travels through that one small point since it makes contact first, which then gets hot enough to fuse the two pieces together.