Starting problem, help please.

[1931 flamingo]

1940 Ford, 6 volt. I had the gen and regulator checked out about 2 weeks ago, ck'd good. Recently after starting there's been a noise while running. Found it was coming from the gen (sounded like the starter running but not engaging). Also I thought I heard an occasional "click"om the starter sol. Simple, right?
Changed the starter so with a new Echlin, now starter will not engage.
All the connections are clean and tight. Horn works, but nothing when pushing starter button (replaced about 6 mo ago. I've even run a new wire from the starter push button to the solenoid.
While driving with the gen making the humming noise I could watch the volt gauge discharge.
ANY help would be greatly appreciated as there's a show I want to go to Saturday.
Thank you in advance.
Paul in CT

[supereal]

Be sure you have a good ground strap between the engine and the point where the battery ground strap is attached to the body and/or frame. Time, grime, old paint, etc, can and will cause the problems you report. The motor mounts are mostly rubber, and the separate ground connection is critical.

[cadillac512]

The battery is properly connected in positive ground configuration, correct? ('cause maybe I've done such things before....)


Terry

[Merc Cruzer]

I don't know what yours looks like but, see if you can jump the two terminals on the starter solenoid. This is where I put the tow clips for the hand held, remote starter button.

[drolston]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

I don't know what yours looks like but, see if you can jump the two terminals on the starter solenoid. This is where I put the tow clips for the hand held, remote starter button.

For a '40, the little terminal on the solenoid goes to the starter which provides a ground. So the clips on the hand held remote starter button should go from the little terminal on the solenoid to any good ground; preferably right on the battery.


So even if you do not have a remote starter button, you can take a jumper wire from that terminal on the solenoid to ground, and the starter should engage. If it does, check electrical continuity of the wire from the solenoid to the starter button. If you have a reproduction starter button, they are notoriously poor quality and do not make ground contact when pushed. Be sure the hole in the dash where the button is mounted is not painted or corroded.

If the solenoid clicks but the starter does not crank, it could be a bad solenoid or a bad starter. Take a heavy duty cable, like a jumper cable; connect one to the battery side of the solenoid and then touch the other end to the side that goes to the starter. If the engine cranks, you have a bad solenoid. If it sparks but does not crank, you have a bad starter. If it does not spark or crank, it could be a bad starter or ground. The starter grounds through its mounting face to the bell housing. If either surface was painted or badly corroded, the starter might not have a good ground path. If the starter ground is good you probably have a bad starter

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

I don't know what yours looks like but, see if you can jump the two terminals on the starter solenoid. This is where I put the tow clips for the hand held, remote starter button.

[1931 flamingo]

Still have trouble. I've made sure starter push button is grounded. The only way I can get it to turnover is to jump from the neg battery terminal to thee small stud on the new solenoid. Solenoid BAD??
Paul in CT

[Mart]

It sounds like your solenoid has been replaced with one that requires a live feed to the small terminal.
Just checking though, if you have positive ground, the negative is live and the above statement stands.
If your car has been changed to negative ground, then it might be an original solenoid that requires the small terminal to be grounded. That is normally done by the start button.

[Bob C]

Yep, sounds like the wrong solenoid. You need #2 in the picture.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Yep, sounds like the wrong solenoid. You need #2 in the picture.