The Ford Barn

Woodie1 · 06-17-2022, 07:09 AM

Our "A" cranks & cranks & starts after the started button is released. This is something new. Any ideas why it would start this way instead of while pressing the starter button?

eagle · 06-17-2022, 07:20 AM

If the battery voltage is very low that can happen. Check it while cranking. Points not opening enough can also cause this. What have you checked?

nkaminar · 06-17-2022, 07:31 AM

If the battery voltage is low, as Eagle pointed out, and/or if there is a weak coil or resistance in the system somewhere, the spark will not be enough to fire the engine. When you let up on the starter switch the voltage increases and the plugs will fire and the engine will start. The extra resistance can be in the wire connections or at the points if they are burnt or dirty.

As Eagle said, check voltage when the starter is engaged. Check at the battery and at the wire leading to the points. Check the voltage at the points when they are closed (not cranking, ignition on). It should be very close to zero. If not, clean the points with a file or hone or 400 grit sandpaper folded over.

Also, if the starter is drawing too many amps for some reason the battery voltage can go low.

Patrick L. · 06-17-2022, 07:41 AM

Yep, as the fellas said, something is drawing a bit too much. usually its the starter or a connection. Dirty connections are a problem especially on 6v. These monsters tend to have a ground cable issue at the frame.

w.michael · 06-17-2022, 08:26 AM

My coupe did exactly the same thing several years ago. I cleaned all the connections and got no improvement. I couldn’t believe the battery was bad because the started turned over as usual with what seemed to be normal speed. However the battery was several years old, so I replaced it. Problem solved,

W. Michael

Woodie1 · 06-17-2022, 08:54 AM

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I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. I hope to this afternoon.

CT Jack · 06-17-2022, 08:56 AM

I would check out the starter switch for starters, no pun intended. The contacts might be badly pitted such that the release spring cannot immediately respond. This might cause a slight delay before the contacts separate after releasing your foot. The starter rod could also be binding up inside the cover.

Woodie1 · 06-17-2022, 02:20 PM

I went out this afternoon & replaced the starter to battery cable. That made a big difference. Still a little hesitant to start though. I checked the timing & point gaps & all looked good there. I may need to check the carb & see if there may be some debris in a jet. It runs good otherwise. The cable had been on for 38 years since I restored the car.

nkaminar · 06-17-2022, 02:59 PM

What voltages are you measuring? Did you clean the contacts when you replaced the cable? A little electrical grease (available at hardware stores) will improve conductivity and keep the contacts from getting corroded.

john in illinois · 06-17-2022, 04:27 PM

Did you check the battery as suggested ?

John

06-17-2022, 07:09 AM	#1
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	starts after started button is released Our "A" cranks & cranks & starts after the started button is released. This is something new. Any ideas why it would start this way instead of while pressing the starter button?

06-17-2022, 07:20 AM	#2
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: starts after started button is released If the battery voltage is very low that can happen. Check it while cranking. Points not opening enough can also cause this. What have you checked? __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

06-17-2022, 07:31 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: starts after started button is released If the battery voltage is low, as Eagle pointed out, and/or if there is a weak coil or resistance in the system somewhere, the spark will not be enough to fire the engine. When you let up on the starter switch the voltage increases and the plugs will fire and the engine will start. The extra resistance can be in the wire connections or at the points if they are burnt or dirty. As Eagle said, check voltage when the starter is engaged. Check at the battery and at the wire leading to the points. Check the voltage at the points when they are closed (not cranking, ignition on). It should be very close to zero. If not, clean the points with a file or hone or 400 grit sandpaper folded over. Also, if the starter is drawing too many amps for some reason the battery voltage can go low. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 06-17-2022 at 07:39 AM.

06-17-2022, 07:41 AM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: starts after started button is released Yep, as the fellas said, something is drawing a bit too much. usually its the starter or a connection. Dirty connections are a problem especially on 6v. These monsters tend to have a ground cable issue at the frame.

06-17-2022, 08:26 AM	#5
w.michael Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 418	Re: starts after started button is released My coupe did exactly the same thing several years ago. I cleaned all the connections and got no improvement. I couldn’t believe the battery was bad because the started turned over as usual with what seemed to be normal speed. However the battery was several years old, so I replaced it. Problem solved, W. Michael

06-17-2022, 08:54 AM	#6
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: starts after started button is released Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. I hope to this afternoon.

06-17-2022, 08:56 AM	#7
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: starts after started button is released I would check out the starter switch for starters, no pun intended. The contacts might be badly pitted such that the release spring cannot immediately respond. This might cause a slight delay before the contacts separate after releasing your foot. The starter rod could also be binding up inside the cover.

06-17-2022, 02:20 PM	#8
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: starts after started button is released I went out this afternoon & replaced the starter to battery cable. That made a big difference. Still a little hesitant to start though. I checked the timing & point gaps & all looked good there. I may need to check the carb & see if there may be some debris in a jet. It runs good otherwise. The cable had been on for 38 years since I restored the car.

06-17-2022, 02:59 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: starts after started button is released What voltages are you measuring? Did you clean the contacts when you replaced the cable? A little electrical grease (available at hardware stores) will improve conductivity and keep the contacts from getting corroded. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-17-2022, 04:27 PM	#10
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: starts after started button is released Did you check the battery as suggested ? John __________________ Welcome each day