Is my starter toast?
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Topic author - Posts: 913
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:32 am
- First Name: Ignacio
- Last Name: Valdes
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Is my starter toast?
So I started my model T with the starter, drove it to church. When I tried to start it again, nothing, nada, zip. I successfully hand crank started it and drove it home. Battery tested good, all the connections look good. I tried to direct connect it to the starter with jumper cable. Nothing. Is my starter toast? I have had this Model T and starter for 3 years and have not had a problem with it. I have no knowledge of what has been done to it prior to my owning it.
Is a take-apart like this http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1316499922 in my future?
-- IV
Is a take-apart like this http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1316499922 in my future?
-- IV
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Maybe, but more often the culprit is a bad ground. Check to be sure both cables are tightly clamped on the battery posts and that all connections have clean, tight, metal-to-metal contact.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Re: Is my starter toast?
If you end up removing the starter, remember you must first remove the starter bendix or you will mess up the mag coils.
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Has your starter been rebuilt or repaired since you have had the car? If it was in the car when you bought its probably time for a rebuild.
Parts are readily avaliable for it and it’s not that difficult. There is lots of information about how to do it on the forum. You can take the armature to a starter/generator repair shop and have them check and test the armature. If it checks ok your on the way to repair it.
Parts are readily avaliable for it and it’s not that difficult. There is lots of information about how to do it on the forum. You can take the armature to a starter/generator repair shop and have them check and test the armature. If it checks ok your on the way to repair it.
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Very often the post where the cable is connected comes loose inside the starter. There is a copper half circle strap soldered to the windings at each end and a post soldered in the center. That connection sometimes comes loose when you turn the nut to replace the cable. That's the first place I'd look. Also the brushes might be worn out.
Norm
Norm
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Ignacio
Here is a photo of the starter fault mentioned by Norman Kling.
This is by far the most common failure of Model T starters.
It can be repaired by replacing the terminal bolt with a kit available from Lang's Old Car Parts. The kit has a new terminal bolt and buss bar that is silver soldered and far superior to the original soldered Ford part. Complete instructions are included with this part. The only special tool you will require is a 250 Watt soldering iron.
Ron Patterson
Here is a photo of the starter fault mentioned by Norman Kling.
This is by far the most common failure of Model T starters.
It can be repaired by replacing the terminal bolt with a kit available from Lang's Old Car Parts. The kit has a new terminal bolt and buss bar that is silver soldered and far superior to the original soldered Ford part. Complete instructions are included with this part. The only special tool you will require is a 250 Watt soldering iron.
Ron Patterson
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Apologies for this diversion, but I wish to thank Ron for posting this helpful response. Ron has helped me personally with Model T electrical challenges and has shared his knowledge selflessly with the greater Model T community. Ron, I hope you continue to share your knowledge through this Forum. Respectfully, jb
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Re: Is my starter toast?
I’ll second the accolades for Ron, a true mentor indeed.
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Topic author - Posts: 913
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Here you go. The post is loose. The fork at the bottom of the post is clearly not attached. Can I solder it back on? The bake lite or plastic or whatever square retainer thing disintegrated. Unsure what to do about that. How can I tell if my brushes are worn out? They are worn. Also how do you retract the brushes to put the rotor back in?
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Re: Is my starter toast?
First step if you want to fix it yourself is to get the DVD, restoring your starter.
All the parts are available.
All the parts are available.
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Re: Is my starter toast?
Repairable for sure - brushes are mucked up and the brush end is sporting the original Babbitt bushing.
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Re: Is my starter toast?
I managed to solder my new bar on with an Oxyacetylene torch and small flame.I’d have rather used an iron, but couldn’t get a hold of one. If you go my route, be careful as you can easily melt the copper or catch any oil on fire, but it can be done with no trouble.Ron Patterson wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:52 amIgnacio
Here is a photo of the starter fault mentioned by Norman Kling.
This is by far the most common failure of Model T starters.
It can be repaired by replacing the terminal bolt with a kit available from Lang's Old Car Parts. The kit has a new terminal bolt and buss bar that is silver soldered and far superior to the original soldered Ford part. Complete instructions are included with this part. The only special tool you will require is a 250 Watt soldering iron.
Ron Patterson
The forum's resident Millennial.
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- Posts: 6463
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- First Name: Steve
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- Contact:
Re: Is my starter toast?
You can use a welding torch, but use a 000 or smaller tip turned way down low, and you still have to be very careful to melt only the solder and not your parts. The MTFCA Electrical System book describes starter repair in some detail. Model T-Tips also has a video: http://modelt-tips.com/Electrical/02.html.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Re: Is my starter toast?
No problem. The Bakelite, or plastic insulator is available from one of the many Model T parts suppliers. I’m glad you found the problem. Jim Patrick
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Topic author - Posts: 913
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:32 am
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Re: Is my starter toast?
While I am waiting for a starter, I wonder what I can cover the starter hole with and just crank start it? -- IV