wd 45 no start

Finally got out and worked on my 1955 wd45. Put a new starter switch on (looks like old dimmer switch) and started right up. Got er off the yard and onto the driveway. Went to take the tire chains off (wishful thinking) and she wouldn't start again. When I took the old switch off the paper stuff on the sides was wrinkled but no burn marks or anything. Any ideas? Any other ways to start without that crappy switch? Put this switch on couple years ago with new starter. All suggestions appreciated. Going to take 2 yr old delco battery to dealer and have it load tested.

Edited by trace - 22 Mar 2019 at 7:49am

1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP
LOADER

Had another thread earlier this month about not starting. When I got a chance changed the starter switch and it fired right off, wierd. Next day takin the chains off wouldn't make a sound just like before. New starter two years ago, new battery, cables and starter switch also. Going at lunch to have battery load tested and from there guess a new key switch would be in order.

Wasn't aware there was a solenoid, where would that be??

1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP
LOADER

trace, you may NOT have a solenoid. I was just guessing based on how you described it. Diagnosing the problem depends on how your starting circuit is wired. Can you describe where this switch is located and what wires are connected to it?

WC, CA, D14, WD45

Could be just in the connection of the fittings on end of battery cables. Had that happen... even had a cable corrode inside the lead clamp and not make connection.

Alternator was not charging for awhile, so I thought it was the alternator itself but put a jumper wire on it and it charged real good... so thought I had a bad wire connection... Yea, I did, inside the regulator itself on the switch side, never had one of those coils go toast... and no fixing that, so new regulator is on it's way. Keep checking till you find your problem.

He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself
The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that."

The starter itself could have a dead spot too. Again, not enough info.

Don’t overlook the ground path...

The contact bar under the button get a little dirty or worn and they wont work, Got a B starter that did that. Starter button looked like new but was worn /burned to the point of no contact.

http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/

The question needs MUCH BETTER clarification. IF it's a stock WD/45, it has no solenoid- it uses a pull rod that directly acts on the starter switch button on starter.

by "won't start"? Do you mean 'Won't turn over'?

You pull the starter rod, which pulls the start contact lever, which pushes the start contact button, and... does anything happen?

If not, check battery cables (both pos and negative), and then remove the starter button...

The contacts of the starter button may not be making good contact.

If you're pulling the rod, and the starter spins, but doesn't turn the engine over, different situation.

If the starter spins, engine turns, but won't fire, different situation yet.

Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

thanks everyone. getting a new battery today, old one tested ok but to my amazement was five years old. starter was a new rebuilt when i got it. going to try direct test on starter with cable today before it rains.

pull starter rod nothing happens, dead. will shine up contacts, check battery connections (is 12v with alt) and go from there. think will order new switch if nothing else helps. wealth of knowledge on here thanks for all the help. just a so so mech myself.

Edited by trace - 23 Mar 2019 at 9:32am

1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP
LOADER

Okay, Trace- if your switch looks like the one Brian F showed a picture of, take it apart again, and cycle the plunger, and compare it to the post on the starter. that contact is suppsed to bridge 'tween the battery and starter terminal.

I dealt with this a dozen ago on my B, and then again mebbie five ago with my WD45... the arrangement is same. The B gave me royal fits 'till I figured out that the replacement switch (brand new, but aftermarket) was simply NOT moving far enough to bridging the contacts. I'm pretty certain the starter post was a bit worn, but I'm also dead certain that the replacement switch assembly was misshaped crap.

Now, I've slept two or three times since then, so I can't tell 'ya what I wound up doing to make the darned thing work, but I pulled the switch apart and made some modifications. I don't recall wether I wound up putting it in the mill, or hand filing, or rotating the starter terminal, or mebbie I put a spacer under the starter terminal to get it up higher... mebbie I added metal to the lever's nose, I simply don't recall... but that's what it needed. And yep... it's a real PITA 'till 'ya get it fixed.

Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

Trace, I had the same thing happen to me and I was pulling my hair out, I change the starter, the starter switch, put new cable on, new battery, still no luck until I ran a ground wire from the frame to the instrument panel now she starts like a charm, you may want to try it before spending a lot more money it may not help but is a cheep fix to try. HTH you

Kenny L, battery sparks when I touch frame so must have good ground.

ac fleet, starter has always worked fine with key switch I have. Switch was on when I hit starter post.

1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP
LOADER

The battery might be attached to the frame but how is the connection between the frame to the starter itself? There is a pointed bolt that holds the starter in position and also is responsible for making the ground connection to the starter I believe.

1957 WD45 dad's first AC

1968 one-seventy

1956 F40 Ferguson

Yes. What Dave said!

sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?"

Is started jammed into the flywheel? That happens once in a while. Loosen up jam nut and jiggle it. (that's what SHE said)

.

sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?"

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