no juice, starter wont engage

drscott

drscott

Member
I will try and give the short version of my problem. Just bought a 30 model a pickup. I started it on Friday, gave it a test drive and it was delivered today. I started it once after delivery because the wife wanted to here it run. Ran ok for a few minutes then it died. Tried to engage starter button to restart and nothing. Starter wont engage, horn lights nothing working. Tightened all the battery post, checked for loose wires and found nothing. This is my 3rd M A but my 1st in about 15 years or so. I guess IM just dangerous enough to try and fix anything, but I am by so means a master mechanic. So Im a tad embarrassed to be asking for help on day 1.
Ahy help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
Buy a cheap volt meter from a place like radio shack and start looking for 6 volts. Cheaper yet attach two wires to a 6 volt light bulb.

Charlie Stephens
 
If the car started and ran fine before, I have a feeling the battery may have failed. Did the engine/starter turn over fairly fast or did the engine barely turn over before it started ? If the engine spun over quickly/normally then I think the battery may have failed, that is, if the battery connections are clean and tight. Every once in awhile a battery will act as you mentioned, they just go open. If the engine cranked over slowly and acted like it didn't want to start, but did, then it could be just a low battery, dirty connections and either no or low charging rate.
 
Actually took the starter off and put it back up. It was turning freely. Put a jumper wire across the battery post and got a strong ark. I think the battery is ok. Been inside on Model A forums and racking my brain, Im now wondering if the switch went bad or something. Got me confused. I do appreciate your help.
 
drscott said:
Actually took the starter off and put it back up. It was turning freely. Put a jumper wire across the battery post and got a strong ark. I think the battery is ok. Been inside on Model A forums and racking my brain, Im now wondering if the switch went bad or something. Got me confused. I do appreciate your help.
Click to expand...

Assuming you have the original wiring if the switch went bad you would still have lights. Have you tried a battery charger to bring the battery up? I don't know how many volts it takes to get a strong arc?

Charlie Stephens
 
I had a similar problem. The newer style switch had shorted to the dash and blew the fuse. The fuse was on top of the starter. Since you took the starter off, I assume you either don't have a fuse or it's somewhere else.
 
If you have a fuse, it's likely blown. If you don't have a fuse, check the battery charge with a bulb tester or a voltmeter. Take heart. It's something simple.
 
Could be a dirty battery cable at the battery. May want to clean them and try again or as Ray H, said, could be the fuse if you have one.
 
Thanks for all the replys.....It was the battery. I guess I will learn my lesson and check the simple things first. But a charger on it for just a few minutes, lights starting working and starter engaged. So will charge all night.

Thanks again!
 
I doubt there is a fuse for the starter. Sounds like a dead battery or bad connection at the battery or ground or starter. If you have no way to test the battery, take it out and take it to Auto Zone, Discount Auto, O'Reilly's or some similar place to have it tested for free.

Ed

OOPS! Too late posting. Glad you found the problem.
 
Last edited:
OK, so why was the battery dead? I'd suggest removing and cleaning the terminals as well as the frame ground connection. Then look to see if you have something drawing the battery such as the brake lights. While a battery terminal is off just put a test light or volt meter between the battery post and cable end. There should be no voltage. If there is just keep unhooking things until you find the problem. Then once the engine is running check to make sure its charging properly.
 
Did the transporter leave the key on?
Does it have an alternator?

BTW, no need to hit the starter if the lights and horn won't work either. Tapping the starter sometimes works a few times if the brushes are at the end of their travel.

As Pat asked, why did it go dead? Should be eary to track down. I've had a few bad experiences with leaving a charger on a battery unattended overnight. I no longer do that. One battery blew up, and two battery chargers caught fire, but luckily the fire was confined to the charger.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top