The Ford Barn

RobMorais · 10-31-2021, 01:41 PM

We have just inherited a 1930 Model A. After it had been sitting for about 5 years, we got her going pretty easily. Got it loaded on the trailer and over to our house. After about a week or so, we tried to start it, the starter turned over the engine then I saw some smoke... then nothing. I removed the starter switch and the copper contact was cracked. I replaced the switch and now when I press the starter button all i hear is a faint "sizzle" sound. Is the starter fried?

I am new to Model A, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

Mike Peters · 10-31-2021, 01:53 PM

Take the starter out of the engine and bench test it on a 6V battery with jumper cables. You will see more when it's out. Are you using a 6Volt battery?

RobMorais · 10-31-2021, 04:23 PM

Yes 6v Battery. I tested the starter switch terminal and i have a solid 6+ volts there.

old ugly · 10-31-2021, 09:05 PM

sometimes if a battery cable is loose or is not making a good connection there will be a sizzling sound as power is trying to overcome the resistance , dirty connections maybe. check all the battery cables and make sure they are clean and the mounting points are clean, bare metal.
if you have a helper have them step on the starter knob while you watch, listen, smell.

you may have 6 volts but once you put all the power to the starter it the battery connection may not be good enough .

aermotor · 11-01-2021, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old ugly

sometimes if a battery cable is loose or is not making a good connection there will be a sizzling sound as power is trying to overcome the resistance , dirty connections maybe. check all the battery cables and make sure they are clean and the mounting points are clean, bare metal.
if you have a helper have them step on the starter knob while you watch, listen, smell.

you may have 6 volts but once you put all the power to the starter it the battery connection may not be good enough .

The frame is the negative "wire" to the engine. Over time the joints corrode resulting in poor contact. Add another ground wire from the battery to the block and keep the frame joints generously sprayed with Blaster to help prevent corrosion.
John

nkaminar · 11-01-2021, 08:33 AM

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A volt meter is your friend. Measure the voltage at the switch terminal when trying to start the car. If it is less than 4 volts there is some high resistance somewhere and follow the advice to clean the contacts and add a second ground cable. If the voltage remains at 6 volts or higher then there is a problem with the starter or switch. Since you replaced the switch then the starter would be suspect.

The starter is a simple electric motor. The commutator need to be clean and bright copper and the brushes have to make good contact and not be worn out. There is not to much that can go wrong except these two things.

ronn · 11-02-2021, 10:06 AM

maybe bendix isnt kicking in?

10-31-2021, 01:41 PM	#1
RobMorais Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 2	Starter Troubles... We have just inherited a 1930 Model A. After it had been sitting for about 5 years, we got her going pretty easily. Got it loaded on the trailer and over to our house. After about a week or so, we tried to start it, the starter turned over the engine then I saw some smoke... then nothing. I removed the starter switch and the copper contact was cracked. I replaced the switch and now when I press the starter button all i hear is a faint "sizzle" sound. Is the starter fried? I am new to Model A, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rob

10-31-2021, 01:53 PM	#2
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Starter Troubles... Take the starter out of the engine and bench test it on a 6V battery with jumper cables. You will see more when it's out. Are you using a 6Volt battery?

10-31-2021, 04:23 PM	#3
RobMorais Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 2	Re: Starter Troubles... Yes 6v Battery. I tested the starter switch terminal and i have a solid 6+ volts there.

10-31-2021, 09:05 PM	#4
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Starter Troubles... sometimes if a battery cable is loose or is not making a good connection there will be a sizzling sound as power is trying to overcome the resistance , dirty connections maybe. check all the battery cables and make sure they are clean and the mounting points are clean, bare metal. if you have a helper have them step on the starter knob while you watch, listen, smell. you may have 6 volts but once you put all the power to the starter it the battery connection may not be good enough . __________________ 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."

11-01-2021, 08:33 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Starter Troubles... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A volt meter is your friend. Measure the voltage at the switch terminal when trying to start the car. If it is less than 4 volts there is some high resistance somewhere and follow the advice to clean the contacts and add a second ground cable. If the voltage remains at 6 volts or higher then there is a problem with the starter or switch. Since you replaced the switch then the starter would be suspect. The starter is a simple electric motor. The commutator need to be clean and bright copper and the brushes have to make good contact and not be worn out. There is not to much that can go wrong except these two things. __________________ 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.

11-02-2021, 10:06 AM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,789	Re: Starter Troubles... maybe bendix isnt kicking in?