The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Starter problem?

Good morning. What I thought was a 7 year old battery giving up the ghost apparently isn't. My 51 is converted to 12 volt. The other day I pushed on the starter floor button and it stayed down and the engine wouldn't even turn over. We jumped it connecting to the starter and it started right up. I got a new battery, hooked it up and low and behold, same results. Starter button still sticking to the floor. My starter is hot to the touch. I'm hoping just the solenoid. Any thoughts my friends?
Eldon

Using "starter button sticking to the floor" and "solenoid" in the same truck problem is counterintuitive. Which do you have?

Well, I'm not an electrician. Turn the key to on, push the floor button and it usually cranks over and starts. I assume that assembly on top of the starter( which the starter button assembly pushes down on) where the wires attach is the solenoid. The starter button is sticking down when I push it and I'm thinking the assembly on top of the starter is hanging up.

The assembly on top of the starter is a simple high current switch. Stomping the floor button moves the lever on the starter which does 2 jobs. It physically engages the starter motor to the flywheel and pushes the button on the switch to provide current from the battery to the starter motor.

The first thing you need to fix is "The starter button is sticking down when I push it". There is supposed to be a return spring on the linkage just above the starter/bellhousing interface. If it is not there, get a replacement. If it is there, take the ground cable off the battery and work with the linkage until it returns on its own. A little lube (real Lube, not some spray designed for "water displacement") might do wonders. Could be that the linkage is rubbing where it goes through the cab floor.


Once you get the mechanical part working correctly put the battery cable back on, try to start again and post results.

Well if you "jumped it" you must have operated the lever by hand under the hood?? Yes? No?

Otherwise If you "jumped it" you don't have what we think you have. You would have to take off the starter switch mounted onto the top of the starter, hold jumper cable to copper lug and operate the pinion lever and keep the side terminal wire on the coil. Maybe you are enought of an electrician to do that. But post some pics of what the "button" pushes on.
Good clear pics of everything.
1. Button on floor is sticking?
2. Button on the switch on top of starter is sticking?
3. The foot switch is electrically activating an electric solenoid?

<<<<<<<<< the post is not worthless, just an emoji in our emoji list to ask for pics.

Bodini cleaned and lubed the stomp mechanism and cleaned up the electrical connections and all is now working well.

Thank you Bill for letting us know. Good job on your part and his part.