The starter solenoid on the '40 clicks and buzzes but won't energize the starter. There is power (6.5 volts)on the battery side. When I ground the center post I have power to the starter side using a test light. Using a 12 volt battery just on the starter will turn over the engine beautifully but hooking up the 6 volt system creates nothing but buzzin' and clickin'. This solenoid is on the firewall I have another that is mounted to a starter but am unsure if it is 12 or 6 volt. Any suggestions? Can I further test the solenoid to find out if it is good or toasted. As always all your help is appreciated.
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An undercharged 6 Volt battery? Smaller than 00 Batt. Cables? Aren't all 6 Cyl. Solenoids mounted on the Starter? Make sure it has a good Ground. Last resort, a weak Starter.
You say it has Power to the Starter side when closed, so it must be working.StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967
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I think a few voltage drop tests while cranking would answer some important questions about the condition of the starter circuit.
- is the battery charged, and in good condition
- are the battery terminal connections making good contact?
- Are the battery cable undersized or damaged?
- Is the solenoid in good working order?
- Does the starter have an internal problem?
- Is the starter properly grounded to the block?
It would take a heap of parts swappin' to answer even a few of those questions, and parts swappin' would //never// answer some of them.
Basic test here -
http://www.freeasestudyguides.com/vo...drop-test.html
More detailed one here -
http://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/chstsycivote.html
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Since you say the solenoid buzzes when you try to start on 6 volts. It sounds to me that when you try to start on 6 volts the solenoid pulls in resulting in a voltage drop to the battery side of the solenoid which in turn causes the solenoid to disengage.
Once it disengages the voltage increases to 6 volts and the solenoid engages again. The action keeps repeating itself; resulting in the buzzing sound.
What wrong is another question. All the items that Ted mentioned could be a cause. You can check the voltage between the positive battery terminal and the battery side of the starter solenoid and or the starter side of the solenoid while trying to start the car.
Or you could take a good jumper cable and connect from the battery negative terminal to the starter side of the solenoid to see if the starter turns over the motor.
Let us know the results and we can then come up with other ideas
Ron
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Originally posted by rstrasser View PostSince you say the solenoid buzzes when you try to start on 6 volts. It sounds to me that when you try to start on 6 volts the solenoid pulls in resulting in a voltage drop to the battery side of the solenoid which in turn causes the solenoid to disengage.
Once it disengages the voltage increases to 6 volts and the solenoid engages again. The action keeps repeating itself; resulting in the buzzing sound.
What wrong is another question. All the items that Ted mentioned could be a cause. You can check the voltage between the positive battery terminal and the battery side of the starter solenoid and or the starter side of the solenoid while trying to start the car.
Or you could take a good jumper cable and connect from the battery negative terminal to the starter side of the solenoid to see if the starter turns over the motor.
Let us know the results and we can then come up with other ideas
Ron
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Originally posted by studeluvr View PostThe starter solenoid on the '40 clicks and buzzes but won't energize the starter. There is power (6.5 volts)on the battery side. When I ground the center post I have power to the starter side using a test light. Using a 12 volt battery just on the starter will turn over the engine beautifully but hooking up the 6 volt system creates nothing but buzzin' and clickin'. This solenoid is on the firewall I have another that is mounted to a starter but am unsure if it is 12 or 6 volt. Any suggestions? Can I further test the solenoid to find out if it is good or toasted. As always all your help is appreciated.
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Originally posted by StudeRich View PostI think you are going to need a Battery. At 7 YEARS, that one is way past it's service life!
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I'll research the 12 volt system idea since I have such a small amount of change over to worry about. For less than the cost of a six volt alternator I could switch to 12 volt as I have plenty of 12 volt alternators on the shelf to choose from. Just don't tell my spouse she wants everything stock she'll never know the difference.
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Originally posted by studeluvr View PostI'll research the 12 volt system idea since I have such a small amount of change over to worry about. For less than the cost of a six volt alternator I could switch to 12 volt as I have plenty of 12 volt alternators on the shelf to choose from. Just don't tell my spouse she wants everything stock she'll never know the difference.
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One thing I didn't see mentioned was to install a Ford style starter relay, although I assume that a 40 has a full voltage floor switch to engage the starter not an ignition key switch. The starter relay has great benefit where a circuit goes thru the ignition switch, with potential for lots of voltage drop. Bad contacts in the starter switch and coil can cause problems as well.
Norm
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