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Old 10-21-2020, 11:31 AM   #1
tomkc1
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Default My '34 Won't Turnover

I'm back to Florida and my '34 has been sitting in the garage since mid June. I've never had an issue with the engine not turning over until the other day when I tried to start the car for the first time.
I take the battery out during the summer. I charged it and put it back in the car. Checking it with a tester it has plenty of juice.
I turned the ignition switch on and the ammeter drops slightly, just under "0". When I press on the starter button the engine does not turnover. It doesn't click or anything. Looking at the ammeter when I press on the starter button it goes back to "0".
I checked the wire on the starter. Its clean and tight.
I'm thinking that the problem is something simple since I've never had an issue with it starting. Also, the starter was rebuilt a couple of years ago.
Anyone got any suggestions?
Thanks, Tom
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Old 10-21-2020, 11:41 AM   #2
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Turn on headlights--- observe brightness, engauge starter--- does brightness change?
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Old 10-21-2020, 12:01 PM   #3
rockfla
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

What did you check your battery with??? If a VO meter that's not necessarily and indicator of a "good" battery. You need to check them with a hydrometer and check each cell!!! you could have a bad cell or two, it will still give you 6V but not near enough AMPS. The headlight test will also "help" tell, they won't stay lit long at all with a two bad cells!!!

Last edited by rockfla; 10-21-2020 at 12:22 PM.
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Old 10-21-2020, 12:45 PM   #4
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

4 balls floating in each cell with the tester. Battery is reading over 7 volts.
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Old 10-21-2020, 12:50 PM   #5
petehoovie
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Maybe the starter pinion gear is hung-up on the flywheel. Rock the car back and forth in high gear. It will make a 'clunk' sound when it releases....
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Old 10-21-2020, 12:55 PM   #6
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

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Clean the battery terminal connections, all connections to ground, from ground to engine, and to the starter. If that does not fix it, suspect the starter switch. I presume you have the one on the floor. If that has been replaced by a solenoid, suspect the solenoid.
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Old 10-21-2020, 01:51 PM   #7
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Then "Petehoovie" first, then follow Drolston's advice!!!
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Old 10-21-2020, 01:54 PM   #8
51woodie
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

When you say it doesn’t click or anything, I would suspect the starter solenoid. Jump from the battery direct to the starter to see if that works.
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Old 10-21-2020, 01:57 PM   #9
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Load test battery
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Old 10-21-2020, 02:14 PM   #10
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Quote:
Originally Posted by 51woodie View Post
When you say it doesn’t click or anything, I would suspect the starter solenoid. Jump from the battery direct to the starter to see if that works.
A 34, if stock, does not have a solenoid.
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Old 10-21-2020, 04:33 PM   #11
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Clean all ground straps . Corrosion is a big problem down here . Check starter to block , frame to engine and body , all need good clean ground.
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Old 10-21-2020, 04:33 PM   #12
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Quote: "I turned the ignition switch on and the ammeter drops slightly, just under "0". When I press on the starter button the engine does not turnover. It doesn't click or anything. Looking at the ammeter when I press on the starter button it goes back to "0"."


That returning of the gauge to 0 when you press the starter button sounds like a battery connection OR a battery that goes open circuit when load is applied. To test, press the starter button while your volt meter is on the battery. If it drops to near 0 the battery is done. If it stays at a good voltage level, it's probably a connection.


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Old 10-21-2020, 06:12 PM   #13
51woodie
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

My post on the solenoid was obviously wrong, and I learn something new every day on this site. When did Ford start using solenoids in the starting circuit?
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Old 10-21-2020, 06:16 PM   #14
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Quote:
Originally Posted by 51woodie View Post
When did Ford start using solenoids in the starting circuit?
Around 37, 36 still had a floor starter switch and 37 had a firewall starter solenoid, but not sure if it was a model year change or not.
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Old 10-21-2020, 08:35 PM   #15
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

If you are using the original foot starter switch, that may be an issue.
Mine shit itself, really poor contact and it was hit or miss that the starter would engage to the point I thought the starter was shot, replaced it, what a difference just like new.
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Old 10-22-2020, 02:01 AM   #16
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

The ammeter has NOTHING to do do with the starter motor or cranking circuit so dont look at it. Have someone push the starter switch on the floor while you give the starter motor a bit of a tap-tap with a hammer and see if it cranks. If it does not crank then you will have to do some TESTING with a voltmeter or a test light and find out where you have or have not got power. The only way to test a batteries capacity to do work is with a load tester which loads a battery with about 200 amps or so for a short time, about 10 or 15 seconds. Most home workshops dont have a good one of those so take it to an auto electrical shop and have them test it. Im not convinced a local parts shop have a proper load tester. The old foot starter switches get a bit tired and new ones are around on ebay. As I said you need to test and not just guess by replacing parts. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:19 AM   #17
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

I had a similar issue with my '32 V8 5W. After checking all the connections and not finding any issues, I checked for continuity at the battery terminal clamp and the battery cable to that clamp and found none. I removed the terminal clamp on that battery cable and cleaned good and re-installed it. Started right up! If you have factory installed clamps...probably not the problem. I had shortened my battery cable at one time and installed the clamp myself. Good luck!

Pat
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Old 10-22-2020, 08:29 AM   #18
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Be careful when doing some of these tests make sure you have the ignition off when tapping the starter and also the gear shift in neutral to many times these old girls will start when you didn’t expect it to and remember it doesn’t take much current to light a light bulb but takes a lot to turn the starter
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Old 10-22-2020, 10:29 AM   #19
51woodie
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

There is a YouTube on the A site that goes over the rebuild of the starter button.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBNoU0ZvLQ&app=desktop
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Old 10-22-2020, 10:58 AM   #20
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Lets see turn ign on amp shows a little discharge thats good that means coil juice. step on the starter amp gauge shows 0 and nothing happens. And mentioned to turn on headlights then step on the starter do the lights go out: yes or no. If yes you had better check cables with a test light. If no its the starter switch known bad out of the box. If you
took that switch apart I bet the disk and contacts are all black and its getting a little
sizzle contact to kill the coil but not enough power for the starter &
(amp meter goes to 0) thats a red flag. We built a test stand for V8s have that starter
switch all common to tractors industrial engines. the first push Junk. So I say take the
starter cable off and with test light on that cable now press the switch does test light
glow ? if yes now ground that cable and I bet the light will go out. starter switch juck.
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Old 11-03-2020, 05:30 AM   #21
tomkc1
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Thanks everyone. In the end I didn't have to change the switch. Yesterday while checking connections I cleaned a lot of them including the two on the starter switch and the battery cables ect. When I was finished low and behold the motor turned over. After a couple of tries the motor started and purred like it always has.
I do learn a little more each time and so grateful to everyone here on the Barn. Thanks for all the help. Tom
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Old 11-27-2021, 09:34 PM   #22
tomkc1
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

So here I am a year later (and a year older) with the same problem. I did notice that the ground cable at the battery was scorching hot after trying to start it today. So I cleaned the battery terminals as well as taking off the ground cable and cleaning it. No start. The engine attempted to turn over but very slightly then nothing. Once again the ground was very hot.
Tomorrow I'll clean more connections but that hot cable has me concerned. I don't remember that from last year. Any idea what's happening there?
Tom
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Old 11-28-2021, 12:26 AM   #23
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

heat = resistance, as in a bad connection. clean it all again, cable and bolts too and report back
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Old 11-28-2021, 01:32 AM   #24
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Sounds like the old battery cable copper wires or conductors where they are fitted into the tunnel of the battery terminal clamp have a corroded connection. Substitute a jump starter cable between the battery positive terminal and the other end on to the engine block and try it. Buy a new earth cable but not a modern one as they are made for a 12 volt system and are too light. Have to be heavy gauge such as O B&S or buy from THIRD GENERATION AUTO. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 01-10-2022, 06:11 AM   #25
tomkc1
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

As a follow up, I've been suspicious of the ground cable with my motor not turning over. It was a new one that I bought from NAPA last year. So I called Third Generation Automotive and ordered one. It was my first time ordering from them. The cable arrived in 3 days and once I installed it the motor turned over like a champ! Thank you Third Generation and thank you Barners.
Now I'm going to look for a new exhaust system to replace my 50 year old one and opened to suggestions.
Tom
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Old 01-10-2022, 04:25 PM   #26
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

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tomkc1
Remember your 6V systems NEED cables for 6V, NOT 12V SO in the future the cables needed are MUCH bigger than 12V cables. That is ONE of the main reasons your cable gets hot is TOO SMALL of a cable diameter. Yes your system is 6V but it is twice the amount of amps as a 12V system thus the need for heavier cables!!!!!
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Old 01-10-2022, 10:12 PM   #27
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

THIRD GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE is the first go too shop to buy anything for your 1934 Ford. Michael can also direct you to possible problems you may have with your Ford. Their service is top notch. Regards, Kevin.
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Old 01-11-2022, 12:40 AM   #28
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Default Re: My '34 Won't Turnover

Hey just as a thought. The starter grounds to the motor. Lot of times motors get painted then the starter is put on. Doesn't always make for a good ground connection. Adding a ground to the motor doesn't hurt anything either.


Buy some 00 welding cable and make up your battery leads.
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