starter problems

W

Willynch

Member
Im relatively new to the Model A and not much of a mechanic however I am learning and enjoying.

Tried starting the car the other day. It turned over a few times somewhat reluctantly in the Michigan 15 degree morning. Then the starter begin to "whir" at what sounds like a fast rate but no longer turning over the engine.

Im assuming something has broken/become disengaged between starter and engine.

Im not sure where to go from here.

Take the starter out?

Im on my own without anyone to really help me.

I mean my wife will laugh but that really isn't helpful.

Looking for a place to begin to troubleshoot and then repair.

Thanks
 
I would disconnect the battery and remove the starter. See what is going on with the bendix. It could be broken or if your lucky it may just need a little lube so it kicks in. Keep track of which bolt goes where on the starter and when you put it back together put them in the same place. They are not all the same length.
 
wmws said:
Keep track of which bolt goes where on the starter and when you put it back together put them in the same place. They are not all the same length.
Click to expand...

All three bolts that attach the starter to to the flywheel housing are 3/8-16 x1 (or should be).
 
4 months ago I had a similar whirring problem after installing a new starter bendix assembly from Bert's.
Bert's advised me to remove starter, remove excess assembly grease from their 'shelf storage protection' and spray with WD-40.
I have had no problem since.
 
You should have nothing more than a very thin oil on the helix so the drive pinion can spin into engagement. Any heavy oil or grease on the helix will not allow the pinion to slid on the helix. The idea is the quick start of the spinning armature will spin the stationary pinion up the helix, but heavy oil or dirt won't allow that. My 28 has just enough oil on the helix to slow the pinion so if the temp drops below about 45* I'd have to do several quick bumps on the starter foot pedal to make the pinion jog it's way up the helix. I don't drive the Phaeton when the temp is below 50*, so it's no big deal.

I'd guess you may have sheared or had a Bendix spring bolt fall out of place. Remove the starter to check. The longer bolt goes in the very end of the armature shaft to lock the spring into place on the shaft.
 
What weight oil is in the engine? If it's heavier than 10W30 you're risking damage to your engine by starting it at 15° F.
 
What could have broken your starter, last fall model A days i noticed most all cars parked with the advance levers in the postion when running! I so much wanted to move the levers up. But I didn't, its easy to forget to move the spark advance lever up before starting, especially when you haven't driven the cars lately or at a car show. I try to remember to move it up when I shut her off.
 
Big hammer said:
What could have broken your starter, last fall model A days i noticed most all cars parked with the advance levers in the postion when running! I so much wanted to move the levers up. But I didn't, its easy to forget to move the spark advance lever up before starting, especially when you haven't driven the cars lately or at a car show. I try to remember to move it up when I shut her off.
Click to expand...

i like to let mine idle fully retarded for a few seconds then i shut the gas valve off then let it die then remember to shut ign off...
 
I also turn my engine off after a few seconds running retarded, and my pre-start routine is to always be sure it is fully retarded, along with setting the GAV to the right starting position.
 
If nothing looks broken or missing, put the starter back in after cleaning as mentioned by Tom W. Know that the cold weather is death on batteries. Charge the battery, paying attention to polarity. When starting the engine, the bendix needs to hit hard to engage with the flywheel. A low battery can turn the starter slow enough to not run the pinion gear on the threaded shaft for engagement.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top