starting problem

My 33 Essex started fine the last time, now there is just a clicking noise by the starter. Has good battery, good cab;es and connections,...what is my problem?

is this a relay on the starter?..could that be the culprit?

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Could indeed be the solenoid, and it's sticking. 

    Yours does not look like the type used in the later 1930's which actually had a "remote" starter button lurking under a small screw-cap at the end.  If you did indeed have one with the screw cap then remove the cap and press the button, and see if this engages the starter.

    Some 1933 owner will probably jump in here with a much better answer for your, than mine!
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser

    Be sure your car is in neutral , and the wheels blocked before you try anything at the starter.

    You can take a jumper wire and go from the small terminal at the top of your solenoid to the large cable on the side of the solenoid.

    Engine should crank. If it does , you have a bad connection or start switch problem in that small wire circuit.

    If it does not crank , look for bad connections , both hot and ground circuit.

    If you have a HEAVY jumper , you can go from battery to the copper strap at starter. Should crank.

    Probably best to use a jumper cable you use to jump start cars.

    If it does not crank , try the jumper from battery terminal to copper strap.

    If it does not crank , starter is bad, or engine stuck. Can you turn it by hand?

  • thanks guys, tried the suggestion above; relay just clicks, starter doesn't engage or turn....mite be a bad starter?

    ...on another note picked up this vintage sign out of a 150+ year-old building they tore down in my town, thot it was neat, it was all folded up and dented, here's how it looks now, ..one of my favorites now.  my dad used to work for the Polo Elevator co..

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