Model A won't start

[JoeMarine]

Ugh, Last time I started my Model A was a little over a week ago. We've been having a pretty warm winter here in Virginia. Went out to start the car and it would not start. Not a battery issue. . .plenty of current. When I step on the starter, nothing at all. Could it possibly be something with the humidity . . .condensation on any of the contacts? Has anyone dealt with this is the past? Any help would be appreciate.

[Mitch//pa]

Is the engine cranking / turning over or not?

[Sunnybrook Farm]

It is warm here in SW VA as well, if you have jumper cables try grounding a starter bolt to the frame somewhere and see if it is a ground problem. I have had problems with that and finally ran a wire from one of the bolts to the frame which let the starter turn faster, I don't have engine splash pans which tend to do the same thing depending on how much paint is on things.

[Patrick L.]

How do you know you 'have plenty of current' ? With that statement I'll assume the lights work.
If that's the case I'd first look at the start switch. Its not hard to remove and check/clean it.[ From your statement the starter doesn't work at all ? ]
If the lights/etc don't work, then I'll go back to the first question. Have you checked for a ground problem by using a jumper cable from battery to trans/engine ?

[jm29henry]

Check the simple stuff first I am sure it will be an easy fix old just needing some attention

[afuncar]

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I have had problems when my car sits usually winter to spring, most of the time I clean points and then check for spark , always worked for me.

[JoeMarine]

Not cranking or turning!

[JoeMarine]

Lights work. . .horn works. . .haven't tried the jumper recommendation

[JoeMarine]

Thanks. . .more to follow tomorrow or tuesday . . .

[Mitch//pa]

If you have a volt meter you can check the battery voltage as well as the voltage to the starter... The frame to batt cable connection is also important to be clean... Sounds like maybe your batt maybe low. Start it with the hand crank that always fun

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by JoeMarine

Thanks. . .more to follow tomorrow or tuesday . . .

Sounds like a starter or switch issue.

[larrys40]

Could be a number of problems from a bad battery cable, poor ground, or just a bendix (starter) stuck in the flywheel. Put the car in high gear and rock it back and forth. If it is stuck you may actually hear the bendix retract. Of course the battery cables and associated connections along with the starter switch as the guys have said can all be at issue as well.

Check it out and lets us know.
Larry Shepard

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Is your starter locked? See if it will turn with the crookedy Krank.
Bill W.

[Mitch//pa]

YES what Larry and POP said... a stuck bendix is a good possibility

[Bruce Adams]

Put on the lights and hit the starter. if the lights do not dim, it is a connection or starter rod / switch / cable problem. If they go to very dim, the electrical system is at least involved to the starter and a mechanical problem is more likely.

[mshmodela]

Sounds like a low battery... take it out, clean all contacts and charge it... for a day or so... I had a 2A/6V trickle charge which you'd thik would do a better job but I grabbed a 6A/6V from from harbor fright and charged it for 2 days.. Battery has been great for the past month with only 3 driving trips. If you not have a SG cell tester, they are handy...

[Mike V. Florida]

My vote stuck bendix.

Turn on the headlights.
Have someone look at the lights as you depress the starter
Do the light dim? - yes, the bendix is stuck
Do the light dim? - no, the problem is with the starter or switch. Something is open or not making connection.

[Patrick L.]

Yep, starter stuck, good possibility. Didn't think of that. Good call.

High gear and rock it.

[Mitch//pa]

A low or shorted battery can also make the lights dim when pushing the starter button

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

A low or shorted battery can also make the lights dim when pushing the starter button

Yep, and this is where an inductive ammeter comes in handy.

Lay the inductive ammeter across the starter cable and read the draw while pushing the starter switch.
If it's low (like 100 amps or less) then you have a poor connection or low battery.
If the meter reads high (like 200 or more amps) then the starter is shorted or stuck.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

A low or shorted battery can also make the lights dim when pushing the starter button

With battery caps OFF, a QUICKIE test for a shorted cell: Engage starter for a few seconds & see if 1 cell BUBBLES !
I "think" that inexpensive hand held INDUCTION ampmeters are still available. I have 2, one for high flow & 1 for low flow. I don't remember the BRAND name.
Remember, remove the caps when charging & make sure the vent holes in the caps are OPEN!
Pop

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

With battery caps OFF, a QUICKIE test for a shorted cell: Engage starter for a few seconds & see if 1 cell BUBBLES !
I "think" that inexpensive hand held INDUCTION ampmeters are still available. I have 2, one for high flow & 1 for low flow. I don't remember the BRAND name.
Pop

Yep I remember you taught me that 32.5 years ago

[henry's 31]

check to make sure your starter rod is tight into the starter switch (in top of starter). it comes loose many times and the starter will not engage.

[mike657894]

sounds to me like your starter is not making contact. you can take the cover for the contacts off rather easily. i had this problem it was probably the first time they were cleaned. unscrew the start rod and remove the 4 screws and the contacts will be completely blackened if they are not contacting. at least mine were. a few minutes with some sand paper shined them up

[JoeMarine]

Thank you gentlemen, the problem was a simple poor connection. Works like a champ now. Did the light recommendation and the lights did not dim . . . another valuable lesson learned. Thank you again Ford Barn!