Starter woes? Nope, Switch woes. Problem Solved

[tbredehoft]

At Thanksgiving every thing worked fine. Today, in order to back the car out for some good sunny pictures, I started it up and was met with a growl. Once the engine started, the starter continued to run after the Bendix retracted. Rapping on it with a screwdriver handle had no effect.

Am I correct in assuming a replacement is in order? This particular solenoid followed me home from South Bend in May 07, a used one from a 56. Yes, its on my 55 and yes they both are 12 volts.

It almost seems like the engine catches, the starter quits and then starts up again.

All help (and suggestions) appreciated.

Merry Christmas.

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Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[N8N]

sounds like an issue with either the solenoid or the ignition switch. both are available new (switch from SI, solenoid from your FLAPS - just bring in the old one, they were used on lots of F*rds)

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[john grady]

check to be sure it is not being told to be energized by wiring problem; test light should go off when you release key , although solenoid can feed back power if it sticks. Check solenoid carefully; i am not familiar with this starter, but solenoid switch is either on top of starter like GM, and spring that pulls it back may have failed or something got loose, or if solenoid is on firewall it may not be opening. See if pulling typically #12 wire from S terminal of ign switch off at solenoid when spinning stops it. Then you know where problem is..starter or outside it. That wire feeds 12 V to tell starter to go, as anyone who steals cars knows... If another small wire is in starter, it goes to ign coil resistor, leave that one alone

[tbredehoft]

Solenoid is on the inner fender. I can try pulling the starter wire once the engine is running. will report back.

[edit]
Engine started, starter running. Pull off wire from ignition switch, starter quits, engine keeps on running. Sounds like the ignition switch is sticking.

concur?



[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[N8N]

yup, and I have had the exact same thing happen to me on my '55. I'd just buy a new switch and be done with it. You don't need the lock cylinder part, just the electrical switch. Might want to consider buying a new bezel at the same time to stave off the dreaded ignition switch falling into dash/crispy wiring harness syndrome.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[tbredehoft]

Thanks, Nate, your full of such good news. Well, I've got a couple of months before I want to use it anyway. I wonder if a switch can be repaired.....

[Edit] seems to be crimped together, I'm not going to try....
[Edit again] the switch, when put in start position shows continuity between the battery terminal and the start terminal. When returned to run position, still shows continuity to start. Hence the run-on starter. BAD SWITCH.


[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[tbredehoft]

Good news, the second switch from Studebaker International is good, the car starts, the starter stops.

The first switch from SI was frozen, would not turn. They exchanged it, no problem.

That full flow 289 sure sounds sweet.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars