Need some advice

rudvirus

rudvirus

Senior Member
So went to start the coupe and it didnt even crank. Then I notice the foot switch went down but not back up try to pull it up wouldnt budge. Got out lifted the hood up and saw a small flame but a bright glowing nut on top of the starter. question is do I need a whole new starter or just the top piece I did notice the nut wasnt all the way down as well. Here is a picture as well.

5706D1B8-ADCF-4989-B9A2-46B5C9CFE28C.jpg
 
Check out the start switch and see if it is shorted. The outside stud and nut should not have continuity to the case.
 
I really don't see a problem with that unless your stud is loose . Make sure the lower nut is tight that holds the stud up , then check wit a bolt/ohm meter to make sure there are no shorts. It's normal for there to be a little spot where it contacts the pad ovnthe starter

Flatten out your cable end that is mangled, put it all back on if it test out ok and you should be good . Of course it should have some spring action to it so make sure it does .
Your hot lead to the term box looks of too light a gauge and I would suggest an inline fuse there 30 amp . Replace the harness with a Brattons unit .

Many model A's have loose connections at the starter switch . It would've wise for all to check them . If you can move the cables at all they are too loose . FYI.. Even new switches need to be tightened before installed as they come too loose .
Install cable and hot lead and thin nut and tighten well
You should be fine
Larry Shepard
 
I just went online and order a brand new top unit, battery cables as well a inline fuse for it. I am not taking any chances on it again lol.
 
OK, but take a good look at that new switch and make sure the insulator is in the right place and is doing the job. Check it out with an ohm meter. When you pulled back on the starter button, it had to come up a little, since it is not connected to the contact in tension. It can only push. Anyway, that must have been exciting. Good luck.
 
There is an insulating block, shaped like a cross, that fits between the round push rod and the copper strap. These are made of a layered paper like material and often go bad after 80 years. Your's may have also gone bad and caused the short. A new switch will fix you up, but some new switches don't line up well with the hole in the firewall, so it might make it hard to push down.
 
Jacksonlll said:
OK, but take a good look at that new switch and make sure the insulator is in the right place and is doing the job. Check it out with an ohm meter. When you pulled back on the starter button, it had to come up a little, since it is not connected to the contact in tension. It can only push. Anyway, that must have been exciting. Good luck.
Click to expand...

If the brass strap shorted to the body of the switch it could have fused the strap to the contact and that fuse acted like a weld , not allowing it to pull up. From the looks of the photo it appears that is what may have happened.
 
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