The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Starter spins motor does not

So the starter motor spins when I push the button on the starter. But once I press the pedal nothing happens? The motor turns over by hand so I'm at a loss.

If I understand you correctly; if you press the button on the starter motor by hand, the starter spins, but if you press the starter pedal on the floor nothing happens? Try placeing a spacer between the button on the starter and the lever that pushes it down. Something about 1/4 of an inch thick and then try the foot pedal again. If it turns the engine over this time then you may just have to replace the switch on the starter motor. Lots of vendors carry them.

Also, welcome to Stovebolt.

So the starter doesn't spin when you push the pedal on the floor?
When you pushed the button on the starter did it engage and turn the engine?
Just need a little clarification... it's too early for me.
Jerry

So ya when I pushed the plunger on the starter without the lever engaging the starter, it spins but when the lever is used to engage the starter it doesn't spin. I'll try the spacer Idea after work and get someone to push the pedal so I can watch it ( somedays I wish the dogs had thumbs). But if the motor spins by hand so should the fly wheel and all that right ?

When the starter is spinning, is the engine turning also?
Jerry

It's supposed to be. Sounds like your starter isn't engaging the flywheel.

When the starter engages to the fly wheel it's like the starter has no torque to turn the motor over. But when the starter is not engaged the starter motor spins freely. So that's why I'm wondering if the starter is kaput or if the pedal is just not pushing all the way down.

I took a starter to O'Reilly Auto Parts where they tested it's output... didn't cost anything.
Another consideration might be battery strength and wire connections.
I'm willing to bet we'll get to the bottom of this, soon.
Jerry

Is the starter trying to do anything when you push the pedal? Does it groan or hiss? You should be able to observe this and move the linkage from under the hood.

It's a sick thing I've only 2 more hours of work left and all I want to do is work on my truck. It was humming at first and I could hear it in the cab. After a couple of taps on the starter it stopped humming and stated spinning (when not engaged to the fly wheel) but couldn't hear from the hum from the cab. can I boost from the battery right to the starter and ground off the frame?

It almost sounds like you might have a connection/cable problem. You can always boost at the starter and frame but with six volts you need really thick cables.

Ok ok ok so I put the spacer in and it spins faster but because of the spacer it's not engaging going to try out that new part.

The Copper plate inside the starter switch is worn out. Any one know where to get parts for a stovebolt in Edmonton Alberta?

Sounds like the starter gear or bendix gear. I have a 46 it did the same thing. The gear that engages the fly wheel on the starter. It has a free wheeling function and that part wears out. My starter spun but did not turn the engine. Thats the only part it can be. When I turned my by hand it felt ok but when there is a load on it would just spin. Its a sealed unit. Replaced it and it works great now.

Don't you have a supplier out there called Scott's trucks, or something like that?

Scott's Super Trucks. I'll warn you now DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM HIM UNLESS YOU CAN SEE IT AND HOLD IT IN YOUR HAND FIRST. I recently bought $400 worth of stuff from him and most of it is wrong, and he tried to convince me my truck is unique when I asked him about it. He's been doing some unethical things business wise in our dealings too.

I recommend looking on ebay or online. Also try The Old Car Centre in Langley. Their service is great and shipping is fast, and they can get a lot of different parts.

Where in Edmonton are you? I'm in Sherwood Park.

rat - you won't find any part of the foot stomp switch new, including the copper contact, but you may be able to turn it over to use the 'unworn' side, or make a replacement if you can find a similar piece of heavy copper

and I 2nd 46GMCpu's recommendation of the Old Car Centre, they're great to deal with and have a branch/warehouse just over the border so they can access parts quickly

Bill

There's a new switch on Ebay, but it's pricey if'n you ask me...

Switch

Jerry

I've bought many thousands worth of parts from Scott's Super Trucks without a problem and was able to twist his arm on price more than once

Not trying to hijack.

I'm glad you had good success with Scott's. I'm curious if you had dealings with them in the past few months (heard it's gotten worse). You're also the first guy I've heard say good things about Scott's, most people want to take more of a 'hand's on approach' after dealing with him.

rat, I hope you can find the switch or parts you need.

I think you can buy these switches new. Here is an example at Jim Carter New Starter Switch Where I live I buy my new special truck parts at Bill's Truck Shop Bills Truck Shop in Courtice Ontario