Electrical: Floor Starter Switch on 1950 Champion

[charlee]

Could anyone tell me how to check to see if a floor starter switch on a 1950 Champion is working . How do I determine if my starting problem is caused by the switch, solonoid, or starter? When I mash the floor starter switch, all I get is a click or sometimes nothing. The battery and cables are okay.

[Jim B PEI]

6 Volt systems are extremely susceptible to corrosion and bad connections. If you can start it/turn it over with normal speed by bypassing the floor switch, then it is likely the problem. Besides having 00 cables to your battery and clean bright connections, have you checked your body ground straps as well?

[charlee]

I bypassed the floor switch by running a wire from the battery to the small post on the solonoid. It tried to turn over once, but since then has just been a click-click-click-click when I try to start it. I haven't checked the ground straps yet, but feel they are okay as I have 6-volts or more anywhere on the body and frame. I put a new solonoid on it, but it didn't change anything. Still clicks only.

[unclemiltie]

Last year I got a 50 Commander Starlight running that had been sitting since 1964. I had to replace the floor switch but as you are getting power through it that is probably not you problem. As 6 vold cables have caused me issues over the year, one of the first things I did was to go to my Carquest store and get new battery cables. 6v cables seem to get corrison in them and you cannot always see it. They did not stock them but had the following day. I would suggest replacing the cables and then if you still have problems it has to be the starter. The click click seems to indicate a bad connection and not a bad starter.