The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay starter switch

the starter switch on the top of the starter motor seems to be sticking and shorting out every now and then. anything that can be done to clean/lube/refurbish to make it work a little better or is it better to order a new one and replace it entirely?

thanks in advance!

Are you certain that it's the switch itself, and not the pedal/linkeage assembly? Might need to lube the pivot points on the linkeage. Also, make sure the spring is in good shape. Not much service can be done to the switch itself. Not hard to change, 2 screws hold it to the starter, plus the battery/ignition bypass connections.

p.j.,

Interesting. I would just replace it, but what is interesting is that switch should be the connection point for the charging system and the battery. Didn't you just have charging/battery issues....I wonder if the marginal switch was part of the problem? The plot might thicken!

Stuart

i have been wondering the same thing atomarc, could the charging issue be related to this starter issue or vise versa?

i had the old starter switch off a couple of weeks ago when i was cleanning all the cable, wire and contact points for anything related to the charging system. the brass contacts inside the unit looked a little worn but they cleaned up pretty well so i wasn't all that worried about it. i think i'll just replace it since everything else is brand new in the system.

longbox, the linkage is in good shape. very little play and thanks to a strategic oil leak, the pivots are well lubed. thanks for the suggestions anyway!

all i know is that as much as i like working on my truck, i'm about ready to be done with electrical stuff for a while.

If it is still the foot stomper you could have isues with the contacts inside the housing/starter.I found the rebuild parts at an old tractor dealer.As a mater of fact I've used the tractor dealer for a lot of parts for my 53 3100. Tube for tires $5.00 ea and lots of electrical stuff whole lot less than vendors.

I put a new switch on my starter and it still would stick. I sprayed it with some silicone lube and took care of the problem. You might give that a try.

George

the issue is definitely with the contacts. the one end, upon further inspection, is worn pretty badly so i'm going to order a new switch. i think there is just not a good solid contact when the starter pedal is depressed so the starter runs funny or not at all.

in the mean time i'll try the silicone technique and see if it help with some of the sticking.

thanks for the suggestions guys!

Some time you can just turn them around since it only wears on the one side. Those contacts can be bought at a tractor store.

p.j.

A jury-rigged, temporary solution for bad contacts in the mechanical switch on the top side of the starter is to (1) do what Beaver 53 has suggested; and/or (2) put a small piece of heater hose (that has been sliced open) above the button, around the lever that contacts the button (makes up for the worn copper pieces inside the switch). This has kept starters working for me, until I could replace the starter switch . By the way, this switch is often available at local parts stores (NAPA. Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, etc).

Tim

checked with napa and they wanted over $30.00 for the switch and it was not exactly the same one. i'll check with autozone and see if they have one. if they don't i'll just order one from someplace and jury-rig this one until it gets here. if i can find time today or tomorrow i might try the flipping it around trick.

Just passing by on this thread, but isn't the switch in question the little foot activated switch that sits on top of a 'stomp starter'?

Stuart

Yep - as shown in the pictures at the two links above.

New part:
Parts America = $11.99
Classic Parts = $13.95
TC looked the parts up for ya p.j., how much simpler can it! Quit messin with the old switch.
Denny Graham
Sandwich,IL

If you buy from Classic Parts, do your shopping from their website for accurate prices. Their paper catalog prices are not correct on alot of items due to price increases. I just bought two front wheel cylinders and purchased them from California state alot cheaper than from Classic Parts which is only 200 miles from my home. Just my $ .02 worth.

o.k. denny. part ordered. will be in tomorrow afternoon. just can't resist the temptation to see if i can't squeeze a little more life out of an old part. i mean after all it's only 56 years old?!?!?

I know what ya mean, p.j. but there really are matches whare ya should throw in the towel. This be one of them.
I resist replacing anything I can with repro parts on my '50 but if I can get a NOS part that's where I give in. Almost all those starter switches will be a Nehoff part, it's an exact replacemant part, you'll never tell it from the original.
Then ya won't have to worry bout it as long as ya own the old gal. Probably cost ya more for the shipping than the part. I'd just bring the old one into the local NAPA store, I'd bet money they would have one. They just never changed and are still used on lots of tractors and stationary units sold today.
Happy holidays,
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

new switch is on. starts like a champ. funny how those new parts make things work so well.

thanks again everyone for the feedback!

happy new year!