Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start

J

joshhirst13

Member
Hey guys,
I just picked up my Model A Coupe a few weeks ago & Im having issues getting it started. I can't even get it to turn over or make a noise. It's got a freshly charged battery on it, I removed the positive/ground cable & used a wire brush to clean up the contact. I also cleaned up the contact under the starter switch & negative battery cable connection to the starter switch. I turn on the ignition switch, push the clutch in, trans in neutral, push the starter switch pedal & I get absolutely nothing. The previous owner installed blinkers, which I get power to, as well as power to the headlights & tail lights. I'm not sure where to go from there. Maybe new battery cables? Maybe new ignition coil? I'm pretty pathetic when it comes to electrical stuff. I have a voltage tester, just don't know what to check. Any suggestions would help.
Thanks
 
The starter may be jammed up. With the power off, Put the car in 3rd gear get out and push the car to get it to rock back and forth. I cant recall if you can hear the starter disengage or not. But if you can get the car rocken it should free up. Then try to start it.

PG
 
Obviously issues with the starter. Is the battery fully charged? maybe to low to kick the starter.
Just to isolate the problem, have you try to remove the spark plug and lay one of them on the block and hand crank it to see if you have spark?
 
PRG999 said:
The starter may be jammed up. With the power off, Put the car in 3rd gear get out and push the car to get it to rock back and forth. I cant recall if you can hear the starter disengage or not. But if you can get the car rocken it should free up. Then try to start it.

PG
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I've tried this, but for some reason I can't seem to get it into 3rd gear. When I think it's in gear I get out & push & the car just rolls like it's in neutral. Seems to slide into all of the other gears with no issues. Maybe I wrong. Maybe I should just pull the starter & bench test it???
 
Dbbc said:
Obviously issues with the starter. Is the battery fully charged? maybe to low to kick the starter.
Just to isolate the problem, have you try to remove the spark plug and lay one of them on the block and hand crank it to see if you have spark?
Click to expand...

No I haven't tried this yet. I will. I've never ysed a hand crank so how fast do I need to crank it to get spark & how hard should it be to crank?
 
You should hear a clunk when the starter releases. You may have to rock it 6-10 times. Did it start when you got it? Check to see if there is a master cut off someplace. Also, turn your headlights on. IF they work, it is most likely a starter issue.
 
Brian SATX said:
You should hear a clunk when the starter releases. You may have to rock it 6-10 times. Did it start when you got it? Check to see if there is a master cut off someplace. Also, turn your headlights on. IF they work, it is most likely a starter issue.
Click to expand...

I put it in second gear & was able to push the car backwards with no clunking. Just sounds like compression of the motor turning. No the car didn't run when I got it. Still not starting. I was thinking the same thing about a cut off switch, but can't seem to find one. The guy that did have it before me did do a bunch of extra wiring. Front & rear blinkers, secondary horn, he has to coils mounted on the firewall. One has nothing going to it. Not sure what that's all about.
 
Brian SATX said:
You should hear a clunk when the starter releases. You may have to rock it 6-10 times. Did it start when you got it? Check to see if there is a master cut off someplace. Also, turn your headlights on. IF they work, it is most likely a starter issue.
Click to expand...

And yes. Headlights, tail lights, blinkers, horn all work.
Thank to everyone for all of your help. I'm sure I'll get it eventually.
 
Question: If you turn the lights headlights on, so that you can see them from inside the car, do they dim when the starter button is depressed?

This would tell you if the starter is drawing any sort of load.

Some have said that if it has the fuse mounted to the starter, that sometimes the screws used could be too long, causing issues with the starter.

Just a thought...
 
Time to either give it a jump with another battery or do a bench test. If your test device will show continuity or ohms, double check the connections and make sure the starter case is grounded well.
 
Another silly thought, if this is your first A... is the right pedal being pushed for the starter? It can be easy to mistake the accelerator or footrest for the starter button/pedal. :)
 
I too think the starter switch may be the issue. Remove the switch (shiny piece on top of starter) and then jumper the battery cable to the copper disk on the starter unit. The starter should spin if it is alright.
 
abachman3 said:
I too think the starter switch may be the issue. Remove the switch (shiny piece on top of starter) and then jumper the battery cable to the copper disk on the starter unit. The starter should spin if it is alright.
Click to expand...

I'll be doing this with the negative cable/terminal while leaving the positive ground connected to the vehicle correct?
 
cpf240 said:
Another silly thought, if this is your first A... is the right pedal being pushed for the starter? It can be easy to mistake the accelerator or footrest for the starter button/pedal. :)
Click to expand...

Yes. I know I'm using the correct pedal. Push rod goes through firewall & pushes on the starter switch.
 
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