1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
Just installed a new starter solenoid and drive on the 59's starter. When I reconnected the battery and turned the key, it made a sound like it had a dead battery (just a brief click) and then nothing. I went around to check the cables on the battery and as I rounded the front of the car, the starter began cranking the engine by itself with the ignition switch turned off. A note here--the engine has just been re-installed into the car and this was the initial start-up or was supposed to be. All wiring was doubled checked for being correct. 2 things I am wondering 1) could this be an internal burn out on the Chinese made solenoid (heavy burn smell in it) or could the generator not being re-polarized have burned the solenoid out? Any suggestions or comments. I have ordered a replacement solenoid, which I plan to install Wed Pm, but would welcome any ideas. TIA
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Re: 1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
Internally stuck closed solenoid. Why though?
Maybe when the key went to Crank, there was a major overload in the starter and it welded the solenoid copper contacts shut. You may want to pull that starter and have it tested, or test it on the floor with a battery first, without solenoid then with solenoid, before reinstalling in the car. Be careful though, they have BIG torque on the floor.
Rich -
Re: 1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
Richard, how does one test the starter without the solenoid installed?Comment
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Re: 1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
First, this is how it works with the solenoid.....
The big terminal at the bottom of the solenoid is the feed to power the starter. When you put 12v on the solenoid "S" terminal. i.e. turn the key to crank, the battery cable terminal on the solenoid(top), switches power to the lower terminal which feeds that big lug into the starter case to turn the motor. All this with the starter grounded to the engine/battery(-).
Without the solenoid...
Using a battery, carefully connect the (+)positive lead to the lug on the starter that the lower solenoid terminal normally connects to. Make it a very solid connection with a heavy gauge wire, insulated, wrapped with tape to prevent short circuit to ground. Don't just use your jumper cable clamp. Make it solid with a screw.
Then holding the starter down with adequate weight, or resting in a big towel, hang on tight and connect the battery(-)ground to the starter nose case clean metal. It'll either spin like crazy or if it's shorted internally could be dangerous. Make sure there are no flammables in the area of the test because the ground you apply to the starter will arc and spark, which is normal. Lots of amps flying through there.
Be careful.
RichComment
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Re: 1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
Thanks Rich, especially the part about not using the jumper cable on the hot lug of the starter. I'll give it a try on Fri and see what happens. I'll probably put the starter in the vise, rather than trying to hold on to it.Comment
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Re: 1959 New starter solenoid burn-out
As a follow-up on this--it turns out it was indeed a bad solenoid switch. Another Chinese made quality part. Guess we can come to expect this more often in the future.Comment
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