Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Hey guys,
I just picked up my Model A Coupe a few weeks ago & Im having issues getting it started. I can't even get it to turn over or make a noise. It's got a freshly charged battery on it, I removed the positive/ground cable & used a wire brush to clean up the contact. I also cleaned up the contact under the starter switch & negative battery cable connection to the starter switch. I turn on the ignition switch, push the clutch in, trans in neutral, push the starter switch pedal & I get absolutely nothing. The previous owner installed blinkers, which I get power to, as well as power to the headlights & tail lights. I'm not sure where to go from there. Maybe new battery cables? Maybe new ignition coil? I'm pretty pathetic when it comes to electrical stuff. I have a voltage tester, just don't know what to check. Any suggestions would help.
Thanks

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Also if you guys tell me how to post pictures I'd be happy to put a couple pics of my car.
Thanks

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

The starter may be jammed up. With the power off, Put the car in 3rd gear get out and push the car to get it to rock back and forth. I cant recall if you can hear the starter disengage or not. But if you can get the car rocken it should free up. Then try to start it.

PG

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Obviously issues with the starter. Is the battery fully charged? maybe to low to kick the starter.
Just to isolate the problem, have you try to remove the spark plug and lay one of them on the block and hand crank it to see if you have spark?

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I've tried this, but for some reason I can't seem to get it into 3rd gear. When I think it's in gear I get out & push & the car just rolls like it's in neutral. Seems to slide into all of the other gears with no issues. Maybe I wrong. Maybe I should just pull the starter & bench test it???

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

No I haven't tried this yet. I will. I've never ysed a hand crank so how fast do I need to crank it to get spark & how hard should it be to crank?

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

& yes the battery is fully charged.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

If it won't go into 3rd try putting it in 2nd and rock it back and forth, then try starter. FWIW
Paul in CT

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Should I hear something or feel something when I do this. What am I looking for?
Thanks
Josh

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

You should hear a clunk when the starter releases. You may have to rock it 6-10 times. Did it start when you got it? Check to see if there is a master cut off someplace. Also, turn your headlights on. IF they work, it is most likely a starter issue.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I put it in second gear & was able to push the car backwards with no clunking. Just sounds like compression of the motor turning. No the car didn't run when I got it. Still not starting. I was thinking the same thing about a cut off switch, but can't seem to find one. The guy that did have it before me did do a bunch of extra wiring. Front & rear blinkers, secondary horn, he has to coils mounted on the firewall. One has nothing going to it. Not sure what that's all about.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

And yes. Headlights, tail lights, blinkers, horn all work.
Thank to everyone for all of your help. I'm sure I'll get it eventually.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Question: If you turn the lights headlights on, so that you can see them from inside the car, do they dim when the starter button is depressed?

This would tell you if the starter is drawing any sort of load.

Some have said that if it has the fuse mounted to the starter, that sometimes the screws used could be too long, causing issues with the starter.

Just a thought...

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Time to either give it a jump with another battery or do a bench test. If your test device will show continuity or ohms, double check the connections and make sure the starter case is grounded well.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Another silly thought, if this is your first A... is the right pedal being pushed for the starter? It can be easy to mistake the accelerator or footrest for the starter button/pedal. :)

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Another silly thought, maybe the starter switch is faulty.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I too think the starter switch may be the issue. Remove the switch (shiny piece on top of starter) and then jumper the battery cable to the copper disk on the starter unit. The starter should spin if it is alright.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

To post pictures, click on the Go advanced box, then click on the paper clip icon and you're in business. Simple.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I'll be doing this with the negative cable/terminal while leaving the positive ground connected to the vehicle correct?

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Yes. I know I'm using the correct pedal. Push rod goes through firewall & pushes on the starter switch.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Is there a battery cut off switch installed? Some guys would hide where they put the switch, like on the rear motor mount, or on the seat riser. Follow the paths of the cables coming off the battery to see if there is a switch somewhere.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

AND be sure that the trans is in NEUTRAL before jumping the starter switch. Also OK to leave the ignition switch off. Separate systems.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

No battery cutoff, head lights and horn work.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Ok guys. I removed the starter switch & used battery cables to jump the starter. When I did this the starter made a very quote click & that is it. I would have to wait a couple seconds before getting it to click again. Like I said it was very very quite. Almost nothing. I've been keeping my battery connected to the charger & the charger says the battery is good and when I check the battery with my voltage tester it shows 5.99 volts & goes down to about 5.74 volts after 5 min of messing with it. Is it possible the battery is still bad ( Not enough juice) or is this a definite starter issue? I'm just trying to narrow down to the exact problem instead of throwing a bunch of money at the problem.
Thanks for everything.
Josh

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Good afternoon...Check with the 'Model A Restorer's Club and the Model A Ford Club of America and see if either club has a local chapter near you. If so contact them and they will always have a member come over and give you a hand. They will be motivated to get your car running and they will have a new member in you. Win-Win. Ernie

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

3 more bolts to remove and you can try the starter out of the car and see what is happening. You will have to remove it anyway since it is not working.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

When you tried to jump the starter with the battery cable, did you notice if the copper strip in the starter switch and/or the button that the copper strip contacts is corroded? I have had a situation where they have been corroded and the starter would not turn until the corrosion was cleaned up.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

A 6 volt battery in good condition should show about 6.3 to 6.4 volts, especially right after the charger has been on it. You'll get a higher reading from the charger just being on it, but if you turn the lights on for 15 seconds, then turn them off and read the voltage, you should have 6.3 or close to it.


Try hand cranking the engine to be sure the starter drive isn't jammed in the flywheel teeth.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Very true. This is about to happen right after the headlight test. I might do it tonight since it will be dark & easier to see the lights get dimmer.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I actually pulled the switch off & cleaned both with a wire wheel yesterday. I also cleaned all of the battery cable contacts to make sure I had a good ground/connection as wel. After putting it all back together I still had the same result.
Thanks

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I will try the light tonight on a fresh charged battery & report back. I have tried cranking the hand crank & it turns the motor freely. I'm assuming that if the starter were stuck it wouldn't crank freely. It basically feels like compression when I use the hand crank.
Thanks for everyone's input. It has all been great! I'm thinking I'm either gonna need a new battery or a new starter.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I think the battery may be toast. 5.99 dropping to 5.75 Volts for a battery may be too little amps left to run the starter. as Tom said, you should have 6.3 volts on a fully charged battery. Check the voltage drop when you depress the starter switch.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Ok guys. I just finished up with the light test. I also installed a new positive cable because the old one was garbage. Here's what I found. After putting the freshly charged battery of 6.2 volts in the car & turning the headlights on for 15 seconds the bolts went down to 5.74. After that I tried pushing starter button & obviously I got nothing. I checked the colts it was still holding at 5.74. I then turned headlights on for 15 seconds again. They did look dimmer. The battery still held at 5.74. So no drop once it got to 5.74, but as you guys are saying that with that quick if a drop the battery is probably toast. Do you guys recommend a new battery first & if that doesn't work, then pull the starter & bench test it. It's prob not a bad idea to have a new battery anyways.
Thanks for all your guys help. I'm at work the next couple days so I won't be able to do anything else until Sat.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Josh

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Battery is what I think is wrong, so try another battery, or take this one to be checked.


If you need to replace brushes, the ground pair are easy to replace, and they usually wear out twice as fast as the pair connected to the field coils, which need to be cut and soldered.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

What is your voltage when you hit the starter with the lights on??

Bob

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

I would remove and bench test the starter. While you have it out check the mounting surfaces to see the starter and flywheel surfaces are clean, as every bit of ground will help.
The three mounting bolts should be cleaned up as well. If you can get the starter to jump on the bench with a 12 volt, you can probably assume your six volt is toast and needs to be swapped out. One thing the starter switches hate is low voltage and will cause the contacts to weld solid if strained enough.
I think you're close, keep poking!

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Josh I think that you may be at the point it would be a benefit to have a shop that services and rebuilds starters take a look at it. I'm assuming you are near Los Angeles. I did a search on the internet and found a company that rebuilds starters and alternators. I don't know if they are anywhere close to you. If not I'm sure they could recommend a shop nearer to you.

T & M AUTO ELECTRIC INC.
Address:

13110 Saticoy st. Unit A North Hollywood, CA. 91605

Phone:

818-982-6215 / 818-232-1325

Hours:

Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Saturday 8am-3pm

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

Don't buy a new battery or take the starter to a shop until it is on the bench and tested with your battery and a separate battery of 6 or 12 volt. maybe you have a bad ground cable, battery, switch, or starter. You will soon at least have a direction to go. 3 short bolts are all you need to remove it! It sounds like the battery you have is not exactly OK but it should turn the motor on the bench.

Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

For crying out loud get that starter off of there the suspense is killing me been watching this for 2 days

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Re: Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start
 

personally before I took the starter off id try boosting it