Electrical Problems

MotownMachine

MotownMachine

Member
Hello!

Brand new to the Model A world, just bought my first A this week. Unfortunately had it shipped while pouring rain, and now is having starter problems.

Car started and ran fine not even 24 hours before I received it, so I doubt any parts have gone bad, but here is the situation:

-Starter motor does not crank
-Horn works, dash light works
-There is electricity running through the red wire from the coil to the ignition switch. It will spark if held against the base of the ignition switch, but will not spark if held against the ground wire out of the ignition.

Still have to test a few other things, but wondering if anyone has suggestions. Could the battery be low? Is moisture the sole culprit?

Thanks
 
Will engine turn over by hand crank ?
Seems like a starter switch/rod problem.
Hold spark plug strap 1/4" from good ground [ or the plug itself ], turn on key, manually open/close points and look for a spark.
 
the first place to start is make the starter work.

-make sure your battery is fully charged
-check the battery cables, at the battery and the starter. may need cleaning.
-make sure the starter switch is working. the switch is a simple contact that is made when you push on the starter knob.
-if not pull it off the starter switch and clean the contacts inside. make sure it is making good contact and that it is not able to short out. no rocket science in there.

just make the starter work first.
it will be hard to diagnose other stuff until the engine cranks over on the starter.
after you get the starter to work we can go from there.
 
Making the starter motor run is not a function of the ignition switch in a stock Model "A". The starter has its own switch (foot operated button on floor) and the switch is directly connected to the battery.

The ignition key switch energizes the low voltage ignition system. If your car has an original "popout switch", it grounds the ignition when off (button in).
 
Clean the connection of the battery strap to ground. The current has to travel through the frame, engine mounts, etc to get to the starter. That's why some add a battery cable between ground post and transmission.
 
yeah,
i forgot the battery ground cable, it needs to be clean where it bolts to the frame/crossmember, you may need to unbolt it and clean to bare metal where it bolts on.
 
Badpuppy said:
Clean the connection of the battery strap to ground. The current has to travel through the frame, engine mounts, etc to get to the starter. That's why some add a battery cable between ground post and transmission.
Click to expand...

Even a 12 volt auto store cable will help between the ground and transmission. The frame joints corrode and provide poor contact over the years. Clean all cable connections super clean. I frequently spray generous amounts of Blaster into the frame joints - seems to help break up the corrosion for better contact. John
 
Get the starter spinning first ! It could be that the starter bendix is stuck, or the starter switch is not making contact. If the bendix is stuck put it in gear (3rd) and rock the car back and forth, you should hear it pop back ( bendix)
 
Clean the battery posts and cables. Take the cables off the battery first and get the posts and cables bright and clean. While you're at it get some corrosion inhibitor discs, from a parts store, that go on the posts under the cables and lightly coat the connections with Vaseline or light grease.
 
Study this link first so you can see how the electrical system is wired. The late type starter switch has a part inside that can break and not allow the switch to make contact. The early box type was better but not available in reproduction.
https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Seminars/2018 Reno Electrical System Alex Janke.pdf

A motor should not seize up in a short period whether the car got wet or not but any component can fail at pretty much any time.
 
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