Starter Problem

A

arefftx

Member
I have a problem with the starter on my 29 Roadster. The starter works OK and starts the car but the problem happens after the car is running. The starter doesn't stop, it makes a whinnying sound and continues while I am operating the car. When do stop and shut off the engine the whinnying is still going on, if I take hold of the sleeve around the starter rod and giggle it the starter will finally stop. This is not good, any suggestion?

Alan
 
Your starter switch is sticking on. You need to investigate that.

Many reproduction switches do not have a stiff enough strip inside them to spring back well.

You can also accidentally jam up the switch inside when tightening the battery cable nut on the switch. Try not to twist the post when tightening up the nut.
 
the starter is not shutting off after your foot is released from the button. Either the switch is bad, or the rod is interfering with something and binding and not allowing the switch to open. You need to take care of this before continuing to run the car anymore. Remove the rod and switch and see what is going on. It may be a bad switch or a poor quality replacement switch. You need to see what is going on.

My opinion,

Chris W.
 
I saw in one of the national magazines where someone recommended putting a piece of heater hose under the switch to act as a spring. I have never tried it tho.
 
The most common type of starter switch has an insulated tip made from plastic that fits into the actuator stub rod and keeps the actuator stub from shorting on the copper contactor strip. These things can crack or break apart and cause shorting problems. This piece is available as a replacement part or the whole switch can be changed. It should be made from linen reinforced phenolic plastic (Micarta, Garolite, or reinforced Bakelite).

This is a Snyder's link to illustrate the part. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976201&cat=41746
 
My old 29 still has the old box type switch and it uses a better design of insulator that has survived the 90+ years pretty well. They likely changed to get a switch with a vertical terminal stud. The box type has the horizontal terminal stud that points back toward the firewall. Some folks may have shorted their wrench to ground while working on the starter.
 
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