34 smoking starter switch from the newbie.

S

soonersace

Member
Well I have my first challenge on the new beast.

Went to start the car Sunday and it wouldn’t go- no start. It had been sitting a week or so and I assumed the battery drained out. I put the battery on a 6v charger and tried again this morning.

After hitting the starter switch I smelled smoke I opened the hood and smoke was emitting from the starter switch.

If I replace the starter switch I think I should be good to go. Am I correct in this thinking?

Any advice for a complete newbie?

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The old stomp starters switches might need to be cleaned and grounded well. You are better off servicing your current setup then just buying a new replacement. The old stomp starter is hefty and easy to take apart. Just clean all the contacts it a simple system. My two cents.


Please elaborate your system and situation.
 
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Tinker said:
Please elaborate your system and situation.
Click to expand...

I have a 6volt stock (or what appears to be stock) starter switch. I’m not exactly sure what else you are asking other than what I described above.

I basically hit the starter switch- nothing happened but I smelled smoke. I opened up the hood and the starter switch was smoking- I’m just assuming it would be toast.

If you think I just take it off and clean it up nice-I’d love to try that.

I’m guessing a toothbrush and some rubbing alcohol?


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Is your "switch" a button on your floor you start the car with your foot? or are you talking about the power switch on the steering column. If you turned the main power on and never started the motor you could have smoked the coil. Please explain. Your pictures were not helpful at all.


Ask a lot of questions, it's okay and don't be put off if people ask questions or comment. Be persistent and patient. Guys here will get you running quick and care to help.
 
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The switch is a button on the floor-

This specific part- the silver part, which I think is the starter switch- was smoking.


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That part is just a plate with full battery voltage and a plunger that pushes a small plate to a larger bar plate to temperately make a full circuit contact to the starter. It's always active with the battery connected. If that was smoking, it is stuck maybe. It's a very simple switch. It may be burning off something or shorting. My thought is if it's working well it'll turn the starter. If not, itll either not turn the starter or get stuck and burnout the starter. It's a very simple system.
 
V8COOPMAN said:
Ya gotta use a little imagination. Picture was clear as a bell....just a smidge grandiose! DD


461593
Click to expand...


Im sorry, they where very big pictures and didn't see it as a whole. My bad, what to do. Your thoughts? Looks like a aftermarket model a stomp starter adapted to a 34. To be grandiose delusional. :)
 
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Tinker said:
That part is just a plate with full battery voltage and a plunger that pushes a small plate to a larger bar plate to temperately make a full circuit contact to the starter. It's always active with the battery connected. If that was smoking, it is stuck maybe. It's a very simple switch. It may be burning off something or shorting. My thought is if it's working well it'll turn the starter. If not, itll either not turn the starter or get stuck and burnout the starter. It's a very simple system.
Click to expand...


Is it repairable if I take it off and clean it up or is it better to replace it? I see that third generation has one for 35 bucks.


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They are really simple switches. Do what you like. I took my 36 stomp that was off the frame apart and cleaned it. Good luck. Technically there is very little there to smoke and cause issue after it burns off cobwebs. If its stuck, then you will see other things burn out before.
 
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Simple is best. Also a good way to see how it works. There is just a few little tabs you have to straighten with a needle nose. Don't break them. Like I mentioned you shouldn't have any smoke coming from that. It's a simple switch. but maybe.


Just remember when you turn the on switch on the column you charge the coil. If you leave that on you can smoke the coil if you are unlucky and don't start the motor. Also "cobwebs" if it hasn't run forever or a new underdash coil resistor will smoke for a second before the coating burns off. The starter stomp smoke issue is interesting.


Get friendly with a multimeter. Check voltage before and after the switch. There should be none if not engaged.



Best of luck! Keep asking questions and have patience, others will be answering and smarter folks then me.
 
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I like 3rd gen. but this is a easy serviceable part. At least worth rebuilding or cleaning and adjusting.
 
If you haven't really dug into it yet, first of all look at the connections. They may be loose or fuzzed up. I had to do this on my 41 pickup recently. The solenoid got hot and I burned my finger.
 
I agree with Mart on checking the connections especially the one not visible in your picture which is the cable connection to the starter. Sometimes that cable can arc to the exhaust manifold.
 
Beside checking the wire connections check the extension of the switch that goes into the car floor. Yours looks to be home made. Be sure when you depress the extension with your foot the switch is fully depressed. If the extension is short you may not depress the switch enough. I think Third Gen has the extensions.
 
NOT sure it would make a "big" difference BUT You mentioned that you put the battery on a charger, IF you pulled it out did you connect the battery back OR IS your car still (+) positive ground AND Did you hook it back the same way?? I'd first make sure the battery is connected back correctly....THEN.....as others have mentioned above I would "CLEAN", "PROTECT" and "TIGHTEN" all the connections starting at the starter....THEN....as a few have suggested, invest in a new switch AS yours looks to have had some "creative" engineering done to it!!!!!
 
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