1949 starter relay
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1949 starter relay
My driver is a 1949 Merc M47, since 1978. I just had it repainted and have been having trouble with the starter. It is new, 12V. I am using the original starter relay. It is very sluggish all of a sudden. The cables are new. The battery is 2 years old. Any ideas on why it is spinning (and then not spinning) so slowly all of a sudden? Cheers. Michael.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Did you repaint the inside of the cab? If you did check to make sure you have good ground around the starter switch, remember, you're grounding out the push button to engage the solenoid.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,519
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From: W. Central FL.
1. Have the battery load tested.
2. Next time it turns slowly, jumper across the big posts on the relay with a pair of pliers or other suitable conductor. Make sure the truck is out of gear. Those starter relays will deteriorate, burn, internally. As mentioned, it could very well be ground problems.
2. Next time it turns slowly, jumper across the big posts on the relay with a pair of pliers or other suitable conductor. Make sure the truck is out of gear. Those starter relays will deteriorate, burn, internally. As mentioned, it could very well be ground problems.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have a similar issue after my engine rebuild. The truck has a healthy turn over and cranking when it's cold. However, after I drive the truck for some time and park it, it has a hard time cranking over. I've checked and the battery is at full charge. It starts eventually and runs fine.
A few told me that it may be the timing is off or the starter solenoid relay or ground cables.
A few told me that it may be the timing is off or the starter solenoid relay or ground cables.
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Thank you for the notes. My plan is to take the afternoon off today and redo the grounds. The large negative ground goes directly to the engine block with a secondary wire going from the negative post to the bolts that hold the inner fender to the outer fender near the passenger shock tower. That's all new paint; a little scrapping I think. More as it develops. Cheers. Michael.
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From: East Tennessee
Just saw this post and wondering if you found the problem?
Panelman51, try turning your distributor about an 1/8" clockwise.
Panelman51, try turning your distributor about an 1/8" clockwise.
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I redid all of the grounds, hit the starter button. Clicking noises. The battery is right up. I jumped between the two posts on the relay; wham, great. So, tonight (or more likely this weekend after the opening night gala of The Edmonton International Film Festival) I'll replace the relay and ensure that the body of the relay is properly grounded as well. Cheers. Michael.
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I'm hoping that is the problem. It is the original starter relay and has been running 12 volts since 1978 when I bought the truck. Boy, they just don't make things to last, only 63 years. If that is not the problem, well, I'll just start from scratch again. Will let you know, hopefully, on Monday. Cheers. Michael.
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From: Canada
Frame30
If you find that it is the solonoid you can get a new one from Napa, make sure you get the one with the button on the bottom. Sure comes in handy when you want to do a tune up.
We had a guy in the hobby that used to rebuild these solonoids. He would put them in a vise and cut with a hack saw around the top just under the lip all around the metal isn't very thick so it should go through easily.
The inside of these where they go bad is 2 solid copple bars, that come together that make contact just as you did with the pliers.
When you hit the button on the dash it creats an electro-magnet joining the 2 copper round bars together making a complete circuit. If you have seen the size of the 6 volt wire, that is the size of the copper bars inside the solonoid, its no wonder they lasted this long.
Then once you have this repair done if you intend on doing it, then just use a good strong glue to hold the cap on top of the solonoid, or use a low voltage tig welder and just tack it in a couple of places, then use some sealant to fill in the rest.
If you find that it is the solonoid you can get a new one from Napa, make sure you get the one with the button on the bottom. Sure comes in handy when you want to do a tune up.
We had a guy in the hobby that used to rebuild these solonoids. He would put them in a vise and cut with a hack saw around the top just under the lip all around the metal isn't very thick so it should go through easily.
The inside of these where they go bad is 2 solid copple bars, that come together that make contact just as you did with the pliers.
When you hit the button on the dash it creats an electro-magnet joining the 2 copper round bars together making a complete circuit. If you have seen the size of the 6 volt wire, that is the size of the copper bars inside the solonoid, its no wonder they lasted this long.
Then once you have this repair done if you intend on doing it, then just use a good strong glue to hold the cap on top of the solonoid, or use a low voltage tig welder and just tack it in a couple of places, then use some sealant to fill in the rest.
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It was a beautiful day here in Alberta so what better way to spend it than under my Merc. I had printed out this thread and read it again with a coffee and a smoke while looking under the hood. I redid all the various tests and finally put a volt meter between the poles of the starter relay and grounded the relay. No voltage. With all of the grounds redone, cleaned ... the new relay goes in. Nothing, not even a click. So, in goes the 1949 one. I did not want to but figured "let's pull the new (two year old) starter and bendix." I had another on the shelf, put it in and hit the go button. Bang! First try it fired right up. So, a shower and I am taking it to my wife's Closing Night Gala for the Edmonton International Film Festival. The film-makers from LA will be impressed. Thanks to all the suggestions and help. Michael.
Fleet Owner
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From: NM
I redid all of the grounds, hit the starter button. Clicking noises. The battery is right up. I jumped between the two posts on the relay; wham, great. So, tonight (or more likely this weekend after the opening night gala of The Edmonton International Film Festival) I'll replace the relay and ensure that the body of the relay is properly grounded as well. Cheers. Michael.
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