The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Starter installation

Hey
I have a 54 with a 235cu original 6 volt starter. I am almost [censored]. Started went intermittant about 6 months ago. Starter fully depressed and nothing happened. Dead silence. Next try it would be ok. Thought it was a dead spot on the starter. Replaced it and the contact switch. EXACT same problem. Thought maybe the battery post was cracked replaced the battery. No help. Thought I must be the cables. Replaced all of them. Problem Persists. Spins plenty fast when it does engage.

Is there an adjustment somewhere that I missed? The linkage is all fixed length can't see an adjustment there. I have had the truck 30 years and this is the first starter problem I have had.

Anyone want to venture a guess??

By the way, I love the censor on this newsgroup. Not being a smart [censored] or anything, but I really do like it. It increases the impact when even a mild vulgarity is replaced with [a bad word]. I think I like this group already.

Tacoman

Could be a short somewhere??? Wait for someone else to answer as I'm sure I'm WAY OFF!!!!

welcome to the garage Taco, we'll help fix yer problems as well as yer language

prolly the heavy copper slug in the little box the footstomp slides to make contact - that's the sort of symptom you see when it's too worn or very dirty .... take that box off and look, it's simple, and you should be able to easily see if it's suspect

Bill

That's what I thought too Bill, but he said he replaced the contact switch. That being said, it still sounds like that would be the most likely suspect. Look at that contact switch again. It may help to have someone inside to operate the starter pedal. It doesn't sound like the starter or the battery, because you say when it works, it works good. Double check also you cables, I know you replaced them, but go back and make sure every connection is CLEAN, and TIGHT. Many a needless dollar has been spent and headache caused due to bad connections.(Grounds especially!) (My own experience.)

I would venture either bad/worn/dirty contactor, or faulty ground. Is there any pattern at all to when it works vs when it doesn't? For example, it only happens when the truck has been off for X hours; or when it is wet outside; or when it is hot; cold; etc...?
Laterz,
Gator
>|--|~

Thanks for the help.

Still not fixed. A little more information.

I was pretty careful when I put in the new cables to clean the surfaces. They looked pretty good even before cleaning.

The contactor is new but I am going to remove and recheck. Next time it happens I am going to press the contact from under the hood. I am beginning to think that the starter linkage may be worn to the point where it does not hit the contactor enough to make contact. Its about the only thing I haven't changed.


The battery does not drain so its not a continuous short. Maybe something in the starter, but it is a brand new starter.

Good question about the commnon thread. Looking back it never happens at home. Consequently it is probably hot. I can't specifically remember an instance where it failed after having sat for more than 1/2 of an hour.


Thanks
Tacoman

metal expands when heated potentially creating a temporary short only when hot?
Good luck! Let us know if you still have problems but have more info!
Laterz,
Gator
>|--|~

That's what I think, too. It is a common problem.
Use a long screwdriver as a pry bar and make the contact. If it works that way, it's most likely the linkage.