Model A with push button starter

It is still 6v and has an external solenoid. I have checked for resistance on the windings and there is no resistance so im assuming they are good. I have not benched tested it yet. When I work on it sunday, the only day my wife will let me :(, im gonna clean the ground cable to the frame and try it again. After I try to crank for a few second the only cable that is hot is the negative cable to thw solenoid the cable from the solenoid to the starter is barely warm. Is there a way to test if the solenoid is bad.
 
Oh and by the way. Thanks for the help! This A hasn't run in 40 years and I cant wait to get it going. Im also trying to keep it leave as many of the original parts on as I can
 
Does it have an extra ground cable from the frame ground to a trans or starter bolt? If not, the ground path from the frame to the starter has to travel thru motor mounts, suspension etc., I saw a front motor mount smoke because of poor grounding.
Just a heads up and have fun when your wife lets you.
 
Delorean_Man said:
It is still 6v and has an external solenoid. I have checked for resistance on the windings and there is no resistance so im assuming they are good. I have not benched tested it yet. When I work on it sunday, the only day my wife will let me :(, im gonna clean the ground cable to the frame and try it again. After I try to crank for a few second the only cable that is hot is the negative cable to thw solenoid the cable from the solenoid to the starter is barely warm. Is there a way to test if the solenoid is bad.
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When you power the solenoid it should read zero ohms across the two power connections. Or you can disconnect the cable from the solenoid to the starter. push the starter button and you should read 6V on the post that the starter cable connects to. It is possible to get correct readings and still have a solenoid that won't carry enough current because the internal contacts are bad.:mad:
 
As mentioned already, if only that cable gets hot, then I'd say it needs to be a heavier cable. Do you have an inductive ammeter to lay on the cable to see how may amps the starter is drawing?

To do a starter check you need to read the voltage at the battery posts while cranking, read the voltage at the starter while cranking, and read the amps the starter is drawing while cranking the engine.
 
The Hot vs Cold wire points to the problem as others have stated.

If the wires are the same size, and the wire to the solenoid gets hot and the wire to the starter is cold, then the solenoid has a short or other problem , not the starter.

Marc
 
A hot cable is not necessarily the problem. If you have a bad starter it can be drawing too much current. The best test is to check your voltage from the hot terminal on the starter to the hot battery post, then from the starter case to the gnd battery post. These tests should be done while cranking. If there is much drop across either point, then it could be the respective cable/solenoid/connection. If the voltage drop is not excessive, bring the starter in to be bench tested for excessive current draw.
 
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