Starter won't engage

R

rods29sedan2

Senior Member
Lots of experience with Model As.... I have a '25 T that was FULLY restored in 1981 but, has remained in storage until two weeks ago. Owners have brought it to me to get it up and running. The car looks like, with a fresh battery and fuel that it should start. But, with a fresh battery and power confirmed in and out of the floor switch, the starter is not even clicking. Trying to not over think this......thought I'd ask for suggestions before I remove the Bendix cover and starter.
 
You won't hear a click as there is no relay in the system. If the switch, cables and connections are good, the starter should spin and engage (or at least spin if the Bendix is gummed up). Are the ground connections good? Run a test light from the battery hot terminal to the starter terminal. It should light, indicating current can flow through the starter. If the light does not light up, something in the starter is open.
 
Changed battery. made sure all connections are cleaned and with good contact. Test light shows power to the starter floor switch and out of the switch to the starter top when the switch is engaged. I've noticed that with lights on, they go out completely when engaging the floor switch, telling me something's pulling the system down substantially. I removed the Bendix cover Should the starter turn freely or with minimal resistance?
 
I suppose that when you hand crank it that everything turns good when in neutral? Just trying to eliminate stuff. Sometimes the clutch will be gummed up and the starter will be trying to turn the wheels, a hand crank will eliminate things like that. Starting to look like the starter might come off if it is all freely turning.
 
I did turn the engine by using the hand crank, yes. There's something that I'm overlooking; something too simple. I've had barn cars that haven't been touched in decades that would still crank and turn over with a fresh battery. This car had an extensive re-do before storage.....I find it hard t believe that something's just not working now. I'm sure I'm overthinking this....
 
rods29sedan2 said:
Changed battery. made sure all connections are cleaned and with good contact. Test light shows power to the starter floor switch and out of the switch to the starter top when the switch is engaged. I've noticed that with lights on, they go out completely when engaging the floor switch, telling me something's pulling the system down substantially. I removed the Bendix cover Should the starter turn freely or with minimal resistance?
Click to expand...

Yes, it should. Bendix could be jammed. Can you turn the engine with the hand drank?
 
Can you make the starter do anything by touching a jumper cable to it? Could be something strange we are missing between the battery and the starter. Jump the ground as well? This is a real mystery and I guess it could come down to how they rebuilt the starter or didn't rebuild it. Do you have a spare starter?
 
Be sure to remove the Bendix before removing the starter. If you don't you will probably ruin some of the magneto magnets.
 
Do not pull the starter. You said it goes near dead (lights)when you hit the starter button. That could be a short or a bad connection. Batts good? Run jumper cables from the batt to the starter creating a circuit that's separate from the car wiring. Hook the Pos to the starter terminal and ground the Neg on the starter or block. What happens will determine what you'll be doing next.
 
Ok....here's where I embarrass myself, a little. But, I'll share, anyway. After removing the 'original' battery from 1981, I replaced it with another battery I had on a shelf.....knowing it was 'good' battery.....it would run lights, horn, etc...but, it wouldn't crank the engine. Then, it dawned on me that this is the same battery I removed from a Model A last summer, because of the same reason.....it would hold a charge, run lights and etc....but, it wouldn't crank that engine, either. Took it out, installed a NEW battery and guess what?....it cranked the engine......after insuring clean fuel....it started within a few minutes. GO FIGGURE, huh? Moral: If it seems like a power issue, it probably IS a power issue. Don't overthink it and make something simple complicated. Even after 30 years, I still have to remind myself of this.
 
Well at least you know more about how the T works now as a result of all of this. Strange it wouldn't crank the engine just a little though. Glad it is working!
 
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