MTFCA Forum

I have a 12 volt 1924 Model T. The starter has never worked and I’m getting tired of hand starting it LOL. ( the starter is a 6 volt )
I installed a floor switch from tractor supply, replaced all the cables and the solenoid is also brand new.
Testing for voltage and find the battery is fully charged. With the kill switch power off, it shows a full charge to it. When I activate the kill switch, the voltage drops very low.
With the kill switch on, the truck starts , lights work.
I feel the floor switch may be bad or incorrect type, since it does not show voltage going to it, when pressed down.

Any feedback would be helpful.
Thanks
George

If the starter never worked maybe its the starter
How is it wired - where do all these wires go

Remove the starter and set it in a vise or stabilize it on the bench. Use a 6 volt battery and simply put a ground cable to the case and the positive on the copper bolt on the the starter and see if it will spin the starter and then try a 12 volt battery and try it. You did say it’s never worked so it could be the starter needs a rebuild.
Simple test.

If you’ve never removed a starter BE SURE to remove the starter drive FIRST and then remove the starter! Good luck!

The modern 12 V solenoid has 2 small terminals. They are usually marked "S" and "I". Which one of the small terminals is your starter switch connected to? Does the solenoid give a sharp click when you operate the starter switch? // One of the large terminals on the starter solenoid should be connected to the battery with a heavy battery cable. The other large terminal on the solenoid should be connected to the starter with a heavy cable.

Why all the extra stuff and parts? You're just asking for trouble. As stated above, bench test the starter and put it back to it's original configuration...

By kill switch I assume you mean a battery disconnect switch. Nothing should happen when you turn it on. If the battery voltage drops sharply when you turn the switch on, you have a discharged battery or a short circuit somewhere. If the battery voltage drops sharply when you activate the starter switch, you may have a discharged battery or an inproper connection or a locked starter. A diagram of your car's wiring would be very helpful. A battery can be discharged and still show 12 volts.

I would suggest that you try connecting the starter to a different battery. You can use jumper cables for this test. Connect one cable from the negative battery terminal to the crankcase, such as one of the bolts Then take the other cable and connect to the cable from the solonoid to the starter. Don't remove the cable at the starter end. The reason for this is to be sure there is continuity between the solonoid and the starter. This will also check if your existing battery is actually fully charged. They can read 12 volts but still be low.

Things which can cause problems:
1. Dirty corroded battery posts or cable ends.
2. Corroded kill switch. All connections must be good to operate a starter.
3. Bad Solonoid.
4. Bad connection within the starter. The connection at the terminal where you connect the cable can be loose inside the starter and cause problems.
5, Defective starter needs to be rebuilt.

Sometimes you can have enough current in the system to operate the lights and the ignition but not enough to operaate the starter.
If you need to order a rebuilt starter, be sure to get one wired for 12 volts because running a 6 volt starter on 12 volts won't last very long. Especially the bendix and spring.
Norm

Hi George,
I'm as lost as you. You stated that with the kill switch on the truck starts and the lights work. Starts with the starter or by hand cranking? Am I correct there are two wires to one small terminal on the solenoid? Is the solenoid a ford style? Some solenoids have a small terminal to activate & the other is a ground, that type will not work with only one side hooked up. The ford type if you hook to the "I" terminal it is connected to the off side of the to transfer 12vdc to the coil when cranking. is the Kill switch on the + side and are there any other wires on the + side of the battery? By connecting the starter direct to the battery does it crank?
Craig.

Those 12 Volt Power Packs will start a Model T if the battery in the vehicle is dead.

You clip the red lead on the starter terminal for a positive connection that will not leave burn marks on the copper and just touch the black lead to a bare spot on the engine and it will immediately start.

It worked with my 6 volt starter too when my battery was totally flat.

My point was you will immediately be sure the starter is good without having to remove the Bendix to find out.

Hi George,
did you ever get your engine cranking?
Craig.