Starter Swtitch *fixed*

[Franchise_24]

Is there a way to test a starter switch once it is off the top of the starter to make sure it is still good?

[Tom Wesenberg]

When it's off just look at the insulator around the heavy bronze contact, to be sure it's in good shape and keeps the bronze strap from hitting the case. Also feel the push rod to be sure it doesn't hane too much end play, which might mean the bronze strap is bent, or the small t insulator between the push rod and contact strap is in bad shape. Make sure the nut for the strap is tight and has the insulators to keep the stud from touching the case.

[P.S.]

Expanding on what Tom said, don't tighten the nut too much. The threads are just copper. It will strip pretty easy.

[Franchise_24]

Ok thanks guys. I think I may have an electrical problem somewhere. The car was running Thursday and it just died on me, and when I step on the starter it does not turn over, even with a battery charger attached, so time to do some diagnostics.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Franchise_24

Ok thanks guys. I think I may have an electrical problem somewhere. The car was running Thursday and it just died on me, and when I step on the starter it does not turn over, even with a battery charger attached, so time to do some diagnostics.

OK, that actually narrows it down a bit.

Check the ground connection from the battery to the frame. Loose or corroded connection, possible bad strap. Also, the cable that runs from the battery negative terminal to the starter switch could be suspect.

One of our club members had the same thing happen to her. Turned out to be the wire where it goes in to the connector (where it is crimped) corroded inside the lug and had high resistance under load.

[Franchise_24]

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Ok thank you for that. That is where I was going to get started, hope to get to it something in the next few days.

[Brentwood Bob]

put the charger on the battery to make sure the battery is fully charged.
Bob

[Tom Wesenberg]

Put your multimeter (analog of course) on 10 volts DC and connect the 2 leads to either side of the connection in question. Try the starter, and if you show more than about half a volt, the connection is bad.

You need current flow to check for voltage drop, that's why you have to try the starter to check the voltage. If the problem was in the lighting circuit, then you'd turn on the lights to check for voltage drop.

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

put the charger on the battery to make sure the battery is fully charged.
Bob

Yeah I did that, had the charger on the battery for awhile and the starter still wouldn't turn over. I checked voltage at the battery and it was good, so I will start looking at other places and see what I come up with.

[H. L. Chauvin]

1. Test One: Try placing vehicle "in" 3rd gear with switch "OFF" and push car forward to test whether or not starter gear may be locked into the ring gear and will not rotate with 6 volts.

2. Test Two: Remove starter switch and connect battery cable, one end on battery ..... other end on top of the starter contact button thus bypassing a possible malfunctioning starter switch.

3. If starter failed both tests ...... very good chance starter brushes worn enough to ground out starter.

[Jacksonlll]

I bet your starter pinion is jammed on the ring gear. Before you take anything apart, put it in 3rd gear, push it either way, to see if the engine will turn. If it is stuck, be sure to push it rearward to free things up.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

1. Test One: Try placing vehicle "in" 3rd gear with switch "OFF" and push car forward to test whether or not starter gear may be locked into the ring gear and will not rotate with 6 volts.

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

I bet your starter pinion is jammed on the ring gear. Before you take anything apart, put it in 3rd gear, push it either way, to see if the engine will turn. If it is stuck, be sure to push it rearward to free things up.

That is what I was thinking as well.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

I bet your starter pinion is jammed on the ring gear. Before you take anything apart, put it in 3rd gear, push it either way, to see if the engine will turn. If it is stuck, be sure to push it rearward to free things up.

If you push the car forward that will spin the Bendix rearward out of engagement.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Another starter malfunctioning possibility for 80+ year old starters is that not all starter rebuilds included bushing replacement; hence, with very well worn out bushings, starter armature can drop downwards and touch sides causing a tremendous draw on the battery, lots of heat, to a point where the spark to the plugs is too weak.

New starter bushings and new brushes can usually repair 95% of starters accompanied by truing up and re-working the armature.

[Franchise_24]

I have the starter out right now. If I put the car in gear and push it I should see the gears in there turning correct? That would mean the fly wheel isn't jammed up?

[H. L. Chauvin]

Yes.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, as H.L. noted, and if the flywheel was to now jam, that would mean you have some loose hardware in the flywheel cover and it's jamming against the ring gear on the flywheel.

[P.S.]

You should be able to crank start that car without the starter motor in place.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Just a jovial thought to try to make you smile with your Model A agonizing experience.

Do you have an election in progress in your area coupled the installation of a political campaign sign that you just installed in your front yard?

I knew a guy who installed a small campaign sign out front during a local election, and the next morning his car was sabotaged leaving no air in his (4) tires.

Anything can happen these days. LOL

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Just a jovial thought to try to make you smile with your Model A agonizing experience.

Do you have an election in progress in your area coupled the installation of a political campaign sign that you just installed in your front yard?

I knew a guy who installed a small campaign sign out front during a local election, and the next morning his car was sabotaged leaving no air in his (4) tires.

Anything can happen these days. LOL

LOL, no nothing like that going on right now