Starter HELP!!

[6TB1RD]

I finally got the engine back in my Bird but now I'm haveing a starter issue.

If installed a new battery cables Starter and selinoid, but the starter will not engage. it just free spins. and the starter checked. at the place I bought it. it tested good. With the starter conected I only have 9.27 volts on the starter side of the selinoid. with the starter not conected I have full battery voltage?:-( .

I need any help I can get.
The engine is a transplant from a 1966 F100. 352 w/ c6 tranny.

[JohnG]

RE: Starter HELP!!

it sounds like the solenoid (some people called them "Bendix" after the guy who invented it) is not functioning to engage the gear.
If I were you, I would take the starter out and then look in the Yellow Pages for an "auto electric" shop. These guys rebuild charging components and starters and do repairs. Plunk it down on the counter and they will diagnose and repair the problem in a couple of days or so. OR get a multimeter, take it off and go through it yourself and figure out why the whole engagement mechanism is not working. Could be just a wire is broken or something simple. It would seem like you could eventually "bench test" it with a battery, some jumpers and so on.

If it sat a long time, its possible the mechanism got some rust in it and is stuck... lots of possibilities....

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

JohnG,

Thanks,

The starter was only 3 days old, I took it back to the Auto Parts where I bought it from they tested it and it passed. I have a tech bulliton that says that Ford Starters require 10.5v to engage but I only have 9.27v with the starter hooked up. and full battery when the starter is not.

[Guest]

RE: Starter HELP!!

Do you have your ground strap in place? It attaches at the fender well and goes to that side of the motor, got to have your ground straps!

[JohnG]

RE: Starter HELP!!

Good point! I had the bolt loosen up once that held the ground wire to the block. I thought the starter was shot but once the ground was in place it worked fine. Remember there are two groundsne to the chasis and one to the block.

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

I do have both grounds in place, did find the one from the block to the fender was loose at the block, 1 down. But after all this I got home from work tonight and my son and I tried to start it and fried the starter smoke and flames :'( Hot Hot so I am picking up a new one after work.

Thanks to all

I post after the work is done.

[Guest]

RE: Starter HELP!!

you have some wires crossed please check them before the new starter is installed.

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

>you have some wires crossed please check them before the new
>starter is installed.

I will Thx.

[JohnG]

RE: Starter HELP!!

George, regarding your ground wires, I think you want both originating at the Negative post on the battery, one to chasis and one to the block. This would be somewhat better than one to the chasis and then to the block. The starter draws some ungodly amount of amps and the easier you can make the flow, the better. That said, its not what caused your starter to go up in smoke... :'(

John

[Guest]

RE: Starter HELP!!

I once installed a rebuilt starter that blew sparks everywhere........when I removed it I found that the shaft was a slight bit too small............the bendix got hung up and it shorted out.

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

I got her started Last night :7 but something is putting a strain on the battery x( after trying to start her after 3 time the battery was dead :'( and the starter would not ingage, stopped trying before I burnt it up.

I have a Wireing diag. and it shows only the yellow wire from the battery going the Bat. term on the Ing. switch I have 4 wires going to this term. including the resistance wire to the coil? I will remove them and move the resistance wire to the right term. Hope this will do it.

The urge to drive is getting unbareable }>

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

>I got her started Last night :7 but something is putting a
>strain on the battery x( after trying to start her after 3
>time the battery was dead :'( and the starter would not
>ingage, stopped trying before I burnt it up.
>
>I have a Wireing diag. and it shows only the yellow wire
>from the battery going the Bat. term on the Ing. switch I
>have 4 wires going to this term. including the resistance
>wire to the coil? I will remove them and move the resistance
>wire to the right term. Hope this will do it.
>
>The urge to drive is getting unbareable }>


UPDATE

No good news. when the points close the battey drops to 50% and when they open up the battery reading is 100% charge is this normal? the reading is on the battery charger.

If I rotate the engine by hand and open the points then the engine will crank but not long enough to start the car. but if the points are closed when I try to start it the starter will not turn the engine over.

any help I can Get.

[Guest]

RE: Starter HELP!!

Check the wires on your generator make sure they are right, then check the wires on your coil.Then check the wires on your voltage regulator you have power going to power somewhere in your system right now. Take a voltage tester and cut your switch on and go around to the different wires I have discribed to you remove them to see if you have a charge going to a power source. This is why your battery is dead after trying to start the car. Remember after you get the problem solved you will have to polarize your system. my car is not here right now or I would be able to tell you which wires were on your generater, that's your problem I think.

[6TB1RD]

RE: Starter HELP!!

Birdbrain,

Thanks I will check them out, I did not do the dash the previous owner did, but I did have to redo some of the wires under the hood including the generator wires,

Does anyone know the length of the cable from the Starter to the starter relay, I have been told 2 different lengths and the one in the car is shorter then both

Thanks again for all your help.