Starter Won't Turn

B

bajarocks

New member
I'm up at my grandparents' house for the week, and I've decided to work on grandpa's 1929 Model A to see if we can get it running. It was parked a few years ago and ran at the time with some bogging on hills, but I wasn't there for that so I don't know the details. Today we tried starting it and got no response. We figured out that the battery was dead so we bought a new one, charged it, put it in, and tried to start it. The starter didn't make a sound, so we went through the starter switch and didn't see any issues other than that there is no paper gasket that is suggested in the shop manual. We're trying to come up with our next diagnostic step; does anyone have any suggestions of what to try?
 
The connection seems to be good. We've tested it multiple ways using a multimeter and jumping the ground from the battery to different points on the frame. The lights work, and the horn sort of works, but I think it has problems of its own.
 
Check to be sure the starter isn't jammed. Use the hand crank to rotate the engine. If it turns you are OK. Alternatively, put the transmission in third gear and push the car FORWARD.
 
I'm not sure how much experience you have with model A's but lets make sure. Model A's are 6v positive ground! Make sure you have the positive terminal going to ground unless it has been changed somewhere along the line. Follow the others advice to see if the engine is locked up or the starter.
 
I would try to isolate the starter. I would put the car in neutral with the parking brake on, get some jumper cables, red to positive to the battery with red to the engine block somewhere, black to negative to the battery and then black to the starter post. If it cranks then the starter is good and you probably have a ground problem or a bad cable.
 
Marco Tahtaras said:
Check to be sure the starter isn't jammed. Use the hand crank to rotate the engine. If it turns you are OK. Alternatively, put the transmission in third gear and push the car FORWARD.
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"FORWARD" in 3rd is correct. Or backwards in reverse! ( I stand corrected, either I had my head on backwards, or I was talking "upside down," like quickchange does!)
Also, while stepping on the starter, have somone rap on the side of starter with a fairly heavy hammer, in case the brushes are stuck, dirty, or worn. Do lights dim when stepping on starter? Bill W.
 
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Where is the car located?
There are competent Model A people EVERYWHERE in this nation and in others who would be pleased to spend a bit of time helping you to get it running.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
"BACKWARDS" in 3rd!! to unlock!
Also, while stepping on the starter, have somone rap on the side of starter with a fairly heavy hammer, in case the brushes are stuck, dirty, or worn. Do lights dim when stepping on starter? Bill W.
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Bill, you've been drinking too many shamrock shakes!:p:D LOL

Actually it is FORWARD in third to unlock the starter drive. You want the engine to overrun the pinion and spin it rearward on the helix to disengage it.
 
I put it in 3rd, rolled it forward and the engine turned. For kicks I tried the starter and it worked! I guess it just needed that initial turn. I'm surprised it ran with that old gas, but it did! Thanks to all for the advice! This made my grandpa pretty darn happy.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Bill, you've been drinking too many shamrock shakes!:p:D LOL

Actually it is FORWARD in third to unlock the starter drive. You want the engine to overrun the pinion and spin it rearward on the helix to disengage it.
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Tom,
I corrected my post:D (Yea! for the edit button!) Either too much Moscato Wine,:p or I had a brain FART.:eek: I thought Shamrock Shakes were gone. I've gotta get out of my cave more often.
Bill Who????
 
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