The Ford Barn

MotownMachine · 10-31-2021, 08:06 AM

Hello!

Brand new to the Model A world, just bought my first A this week. Unfortunately had it shipped while pouring rain, and now is having starter problems.

Car started and ran fine not even 24 hours before I received it, so I doubt any parts have gone bad, but here is the situation:

-Starter motor does not crank
-Horn works, dash light works
-There is electricity running through the red wire from the coil to the ignition switch. It will spark if held against the base of the ignition switch, but will not spark if held against the ground wire out of the ignition.

Still have to test a few other things, but wondering if anyone has suggestions. Could the battery be low? Is moisture the sole culprit?

Thanks

Patrick L. · 10-31-2021, 09:00 AM

Will engine turn over by hand crank ?
Seems like a starter switch/rod problem.
Hold spark plug strap 1/4" from good ground [ or the plug itself ], turn on key, manually open/close points and look for a spark.

old ugly · 10-31-2021, 09:19 AM

the first place to start is make the starter work.

-make sure your battery is fully charged
-check the battery cables, at the battery and the starter. may need cleaning.
-make sure the starter switch is working. the switch is a simple contact that is made when you push on the starter knob.
-if not pull it off the starter switch and clean the contacts inside. make sure it is making good contact and that it is not able to short out. no rocket science in there.

just make the starter work first.
it will be hard to diagnose other stuff until the engine cranks over on the starter.
after you get the starter to work we can go from there.

Bob Bidonde · 10-31-2021, 09:29 AM

Making the starter motor run is not a function of the ignition switch in a stock Model "A". The starter has its own switch (foot operated button on floor) and the switch is directly connected to the battery.

The ignition key switch energizes the low voltage ignition system. If your car has an original "popout switch", it grounds the ignition when off (button in).

Badpuppy · 10-31-2021, 09:32 AM

Clean the connection of the battery strap to ground. The current has to travel through the frame, engine mounts, etc to get to the starter. That's why some add a battery cable between ground post and transmission.

old ugly · 10-31-2021, 09:55 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

yeah,
i forgot the battery ground cable, it needs to be clean where it bolts to the frame/crossmember, you may need to unbolt it and clean to bare metal where it bolts on.

aermotor · 10-31-2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badpuppy

Clean the connection of the battery strap to ground. The current has to travel through the frame, engine mounts, etc to get to the starter. That's why some add a battery cable between ground post and transmission.

Even a 12 volt auto store cable will help between the ground and transmission. The frame joints corrode and provide poor contact over the years. Clean all cable connections super clean. I frequently spray generous amounts of Blaster into the frame joints - seems to help break up the corrosion for better contact. John

Big hammer · 10-31-2021, 10:28 AM

Get the starter spinning first ! It could be that the starter bendix is stuck, or the starter switch is not making contact. If the bendix is stuck put it in gear (3rd) and rock the car back and forth, you should hear it pop back ( bendix)

sofield · 10-31-2021, 11:52 AM

I would bet on the ground to battery connections or starter switch on top of starter Goood luck. Sofield

Glenn Thoreson · 11-03-2021, 07:49 PM

Clean the battery posts and cables. Take the cables off the battery first and get the posts and cables bright and clean. While you're at it get some corrosion inhibitor discs, from a parts store, that go on the posts under the cables and lightly coat the connections with Vaseline or light grease.

nkaminar · 11-04-2021, 07:38 AM

How to start your new Ford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eukZ9E_eofM

rotorwrench · 11-04-2021, 03:34 PM

Study this link first so you can see how the electrical system is wired. The late type starter switch has a part inside that can break and not allow the switch to make contact. The early box type was better but not available in reproduction.
https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf

A motor should not seize up in a short period whether the car got wet or not but any component can fail at pretty much any time.

1crosscut · 11-04-2021, 07:11 PM

Lots of good advice. Too bad the original poster hasn't checked back in since posting.

Synchro909 · 11-04-2021, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

Lots of good advice. Too bad the original poster hasn't checked back in since posting.

He must have got it going. (or sold it!)

10-31-2021, 08:06 AM	#1
MotownMachine Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 6	Electrical Problems Hello! Brand new to the Model A world, just bought my first A this week. Unfortunately had it shipped while pouring rain, and now is having starter problems. Car started and ran fine not even 24 hours before I received it, so I doubt any parts have gone bad, but here is the situation: -Starter motor does not crank -Horn works, dash light works -There is electricity running through the red wire from the coil to the ignition switch. It will spark if held against the base of the ignition switch, but will not spark if held against the ground wire out of the ignition. Still have to test a few other things, but wondering if anyone has suggestions. Could the battery be low? Is moisture the sole culprit? Thanks

10-31-2021, 09:00 AM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Electrical Problems Will engine turn over by hand crank ? Seems like a starter switch/rod problem. Hold spark plug strap 1/4" from good ground [ or the plug itself ], turn on key, manually open/close points and look for a spark.

10-31-2021, 09:19 AM	#3
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Electrical Problems the first place to start is make the starter work. -make sure your battery is fully charged -check the battery cables, at the battery and the starter. may need cleaning. -make sure the starter switch is working. the switch is a simple contact that is made when you push on the starter knob. -if not pull it off the starter switch and clean the contacts inside. make sure it is making good contact and that it is not able to short out. no rocket science in there. just make the starter work first. it will be hard to diagnose other stuff until the engine cranks over on the starter. after you get the starter to work we can go from there. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

10-31-2021, 09:29 AM	#4
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,464	Re: Electrical Problems Making the starter motor run is not a function of the ignition switch in a stock Model "A". The starter has its own switch (foot operated button on floor) and the switch is directly connected to the battery. The ignition key switch energizes the low voltage ignition system. If your car has an original "popout switch", it grounds the ignition when off (button in). __________________ Bob Bidonde

10-31-2021, 09:32 AM	#5
Badpuppy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 1,144	Re: Electrical Problems Clean the connection of the battery strap to ground. The current has to travel through the frame, engine mounts, etc to get to the starter. That's why some add a battery cable between ground post and transmission.

10-31-2021, 09:55 AM	#6
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Electrical Problems Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) yeah, i forgot the battery ground cable, it needs to be clean where it bolts to the frame/crossmember, you may need to unbolt it and clean to bare metal where it bolts on. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

10-31-2021, 10:28 AM	#8
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,127	Re: Electrical Problems Get the starter spinning first ! It could be that the starter bendix is stuck, or the starter switch is not making contact. If the bendix is stuck put it in gear (3rd) and rock the car back and forth, you should hear it pop back ( bendix) __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

10-31-2021, 11:52 AM	#9
sofield Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 72	Re: Electrical Problems I would bet on the ground to battery connections or starter switch on top of starter Goood luck. Sofield

11-03-2021, 07:49 PM	#10
Glenn Thoreson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 203	Re: Electrical Problems Clean the battery posts and cables. Take the cables off the battery first and get the posts and cables bright and clean. While you're at it get some corrosion inhibitor discs, from a parts store, that go on the posts under the cables and lightly coat the connections with Vaseline or light grease.

11-04-2021, 07:38 AM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Electrical Problems How to start your new Ford. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eukZ9E_eofM __________________ 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.

11-04-2021, 03:34 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Electrical Problems Study this link first so you can see how the electrical system is wired. The late type starter switch has a part inside that can break and not allow the switch to make contact. The early box type was better but not available in reproduction. https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf A motor should not seize up in a short period whether the car got wet or not but any component can fail at pretty much any time. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-04-2021 at 04:02 PM.

11-04-2021, 07:11 PM	#13
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Electrical Problems Lots of good advice. Too bad the original poster hasn't checked back in since posting. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska