34 smoking starter switch from the newbie.

[soonersace]

Well I have my first challenge on the new beast.

Went to start the car Sunday and it wouldn’t go- no start. It had been sitting a week or so and I assumed the battery drained out. I put the battery on a 6v charger and tried again this morning.

After hitting the starter switch I smelled smoke I opened the hood and smoke was emitting from the starter switch.

If I replace the starter switch I think I should be good to go. Am I correct in this thinking?

Any advice for a complete newbie?




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[Tinker]

The old stomp starters switches might need to be cleaned and grounded well. You are better off servicing your current setup then just buying a new replacement. The old stomp starter is hefty and easy to take apart. Just clean all the contacts it a simple system. My two cents.


Please elaborate your system and situation.

[soonersace]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Please elaborate your system and situation.

I have a 6volt stock (or what appears to be stock) starter switch. I’m not exactly sure what else you are asking other than what I described above.

I basically hit the starter switch- nothing happened but I smelled smoke. I opened up the hood and the starter switch was smoking- I’m just assuming it would be toast.

If you think I just take it off and clean it up nice-I’d love to try that.

I’m guessing a toothbrush and some rubbing alcohol?


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[Tinker]

Is your "switch" a button on your floor you start the car with your foot? or are you talking about the power switch on the steering column. If you turned the main power on and never started the motor you could have smoked the coil. Please explain. Your pictures were not helpful at all.


Ask a lot of questions, it's okay and don't be put off if people ask questions or comment. Be persistent and patient. Guys here will get you running quick and care to help.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Your pictures were not helpful at all.

Ya gotta use a little imagination. Picture was clear as a bell....just a smidge grandiose! DD

[soonersace]

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The switch is a button on the floor-

This specific part- the silver part, which I think is the starter switch- was smoking.


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[soonersace]

Originally Posted by soonersace

The switch is a button on the floor-

This specific part- the silver part, which I think is the starter switch- was smoking.


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[Tinker]

That part is just a plate with full battery voltage and a plunger that pushes a small plate to a larger bar plate to temperately make a full circuit contact to the starter. It's always active with the battery connected. If that was smoking, it is stuck maybe. It's a very simple switch. It may be burning off something or shorting. My thought is if it's working well it'll turn the starter. If not, itll either not turn the starter or get stuck and burnout the starter. It's a very simple system.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Ya gotta use a little imagination. Picture was clear as a bell....just a smidge grandiose! DD

Im sorry, they where very big pictures and didn't see it as a whole. My bad, what to do. Your thoughts? Looks like a aftermarket model a stomp starter adapted to a 34. To be grandiose delusional.

[soonersace]

Originally Posted by Tinker

That part is just a plate with full battery voltage and a plunger that pushes a small plate to a larger bar plate to temperately make a full circuit contact to the starter. It's always active with the battery connected. If that was smoking, it is stuck maybe. It's a very simple switch. It may be burning off something or shorting. My thought is if it's working well it'll turn the starter. If not, itll either not turn the starter or get stuck and burnout the starter. It's a very simple system.

Is it repairable if I take it off and clean it up or is it better to replace it? I see that third generation has one for 35 bucks.


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[Tinker]

They are really simple switches. Do what you like. I took my 36 stomp that was off the frame apart and cleaned it. Good luck. Technically there is very little there to smoke and cause issue after it burns off cobwebs. If its stuck, then you will see other things burn out before.

[soonersace]

Simple- that’s about my pay grade.

I’ll try that first.


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[Tinker]

Simple is best. Also a good way to see how it works. There is just a few little tabs you have to straighten with a needle nose. Don't break them. Like I mentioned you shouldn't have any smoke coming from that. It's a simple switch. but maybe.


Just remember when you turn the on switch on the column you charge the coil. If you leave that on you can smoke the coil if you are unlucky and don't start the motor. Also "cobwebs" if it hasn't run forever or a new underdash coil resistor will smoke for a second before the coating burns off. The starter stomp smoke issue is interesting.


Get friendly with a multimeter. Check voltage before and after the switch. There should be none if not engaged.



Best of luck! Keep asking questions and have patience, others will be answering and smarter folks then me.

[petehoovie]

Just replace it as they are readily available > https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...r+floor+switch




https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORS-1933-3...UAAOSwGf5dvx-Q

[Tinker]

I like 3rd gen. but this is a easy serviceable part. At least worth rebuilding or cleaning and adjusting.

[Mart]

If you haven't really dug into it yet, first of all look at the connections. They may be loose or fuzzed up. I had to do this on my 41 pickup recently. The solenoid got hot and I burned my finger.

[deuce lover]

There are at least 16 listed on EBAY right now starting at $5 for NOS.Why mess with trying to take yours apart.Here is an example.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1933-1934-N...sAAOSw199gG4vf

[glennpm]

I agree with Mart on checking the connections especially the one not visible in your picture which is the cable connection to the starter. Sometimes that cable can arc to the exhaust manifold.

[Terry,OH]

Beside checking the wire connections check the extension of the switch that goes into the car floor. Yours looks to be home made. Be sure when you depress the extension with your foot the switch is fully depressed. If the extension is short you may not depress the switch enough. I think Third Gen has the extensions.

[rockfla]

NOT sure it would make a "big" difference BUT You mentioned that you put the battery on a charger, IF you pulled it out did you connect the battery back OR IS your car still (+) positive ground AND Did you hook it back the same way?? I'd first make sure the battery is connected back correctly....THEN.....as others have mentioned above I would "CLEAN", "PROTECT" and "TIGHTEN" all the connections starting at the starter....THEN....as a few have suggested, invest in a new switch AS yours looks to have had some "creative" engineering done to it!!!!!

[Bored&Stroked]

Also, given that this switch is one big contact switch - always push down on it hard with your foot . . . you want it to have a good solid contact. Once you inspect the contacts and potentially rework or replace the switch, don't be afraid to push down on it with some force - such that the contacts mate as they should.

If you choose to take it apart, you'll probably find that the contacts are pitted and worn a bit - usually it will take some sanding/filing and other cleanup work to get them in a good usable condition. You can always post pictures of what you find once you get it apart - to get some opinions on how to proceed.

[glennpm]

If you're lucky the copper plates are just pitted and not broken like this switch I took apart ---> junk

Glenn

[soonersace]

I got it started!

One of the cables was a little loose on the switch- I think it was touching the other cable. I tightened it up and gave it a try-

I went ahead and ordered a new switch just to have one, a switch pushrod and some grommets to replace the rotted foam ones I found in my exploration.

Thanks for making my day everyone.

I’m still going to try to clean up what I have.


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[glennpm]

Good!

[lotsagas4u]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1933-1936-F...0AAOSwH4VgQg0E
Is the cardboard divider on some of these switches there to protect from cable arc?

[glennpm]

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Yes, back to the case and to the other terminal, although the latter would be unlikely. There is also treated cardboard on the inside as you can see from my pictures above.


Glenn

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by glennpm

If you're lucky the copper plates are just pitted and not broken like this switch I took apart ---> junk

Glenn

That could be fixed but the effort maybe more involved then getting a new one, certianly since they are available. It's a very simple switch. But you never know what is wrong till you open it up.

[TJ]

Hard to tell by the photo, but did the shaft extension on the switch rub through the insulation on the starter cable?