Foot starter button will not turn motor over

[TMH1953]

1931 model a with 6 volt system. I'am new to model A's . The car has been starting great up until today. Started car and backed it out of garage and turned off ignition switch. Later got ready to for a drive turned ignition switch on hit pushed foot starter button and nothing happened. Ch checked voltage at starter motor 6.6. Volts. Checked voltage at coil 6.6 volts. Put car in 3rd gear and rocked back and forth about 2 foot forward and 2 foot backward while watching fan fan was moving back and forth. What could possibly be wrong.

[JDupuis]

Starter pedal switch may be dirty. Easy to take apart and clean. Good Luck. Jeff



Also "Welcome to the Barn". I hope you make yourself at home here.

[1955cj5]

I would check the cable connections at the battery, and also where the cables connect to the frame and at the starter switch.

A poor connection may allow the 6.6 volts to pass easily but may not carry the load needed to turn the starter.

If you find that you need to remove and clean the starter switch be sure to disconnect the battery cables at the battery first....

.

[1955cj5]

The inside of the starter switch looks like the attached picture.

When you push on the starter foot button you force the copper contact against a contact on the starter itself. If either are corroded it may not work....

[TMH1953]

Will check all of the above in morning. I have always wanted a model a the car is a blast and o drive, hopefully you guys will excuse my ignorance the learning curve is slow and steady.

[1955cj5]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Learning about the cars is at least half the fun of owning one....

Post a picture of your car if you get a chance!

Randy


.

[davehc]

Dont worry about the questions , we have all been there at one time or another , ask all you want , theirs always someone here who will know a good answer . I had the same problem this spring , took the starter contact off , cleaned it , was good to go . And yes , show us a pic.

[30Ford]

The rod may be too short to engage the starter contact

[TMH1953]

Trying to figure out how to post a picture of my car using photo album on I phone.

[old31]

Originally Posted by TMH1953

Trying to figure out how to post a picture of my car using photo album on I phone.

1: From the iphone send the pics to your email.

2: Open the pics up from your email. I use Paint because its easy and great for cropping.

3: Save and send the pic to your desktop.

4: In this area of the thread go to "manage attachments" and go get the pics from your desktop and download them to the thread.

5: When done cut the pics from the desktop and past them to your favorite picture folder on your computer.

[Dick Steinkamp]

I've had that starter rod unscrew itself from the starter switch.

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

I've had that starter rod unscrew itself from the starter switch.

Me too - don't forget the jam nut on the rod.

John

[Tom Wesenberg]

Are you pushing the right button, and are you pushing hard enough?

[TMH1953]

Yes sir pushing the right button and pushing hard. I have had the car about 6 months and this is the first time this has happened. Heading out to my shop in few minutes and goi g to check everything posted above. Grounds, battery connections, if al checks out will pull starter switch and try clean it up. Got a new starter switch ordered thru Synder's just in case. Again thanks to all of for helping me out

[SeaSlugs]

Starter might have a funky spot. Id clean and check the switch first to rule it out. When you cranked it to start it did it crank what youd consider normal? Was it weak sounding ( they do crank slower than a modern car)

[frank mcdaniels]

No problem, just always park on a hill.

[TMH1953]

Thanks a million for all the idea's and advice. Took floorboard out and disconnected both positive and ground cables. Cleaned both ends of cables and cleaned and filed where positive grounds on frame. Put her back together and she STARTED on First revolution of engine . Think the problem was a bad ground to frame. The frame was nasty and greasy where it was grounded.

[captndan]

Originally Posted by TMH1953

Thanks a million for all the idea's and advice. Took floorboard out and disconnected both positive and ground cables. Cleaned both ends of cables and cleaned and filed where positive grounds on frame. Put her back together and she STARTED on First revolution of engine . Think the problem was a bad ground to frame. The frame was nasty and greasy where it was grounded.

This is why I recommend using a second cable. Directly from battery to
Starter bolt. Eliminates several metal to metal connections.

[SeaSlugs]

Glad you found it. Alot of us add a ground from the frame to an engine to trans bolt or oil pan bolt. Can never have enough grounds haha.

[100IH]

Original configuration was pos. to ground / neg. was the hot lead going to starter and junction box. Can work both ways for starter and incandescent lights. If you change it,you must polarise unless you have a modified cutout on the generator. Probably do some reading on this and post pictures of engine compartment and generator area, and leave well enough for now till you know exactly what you have. Lot of A people in Texas to help you identify any modifications that are polarity sensitive.