Help ! My 1930 desoto six recently started having issue starting, it runs on 6V system still. When I tried to start the car, turn on ignition , engage the clutch , little hand throttle and choke, when I step on the starter, it gives two or three loud thump noise and won't start. I measured the voltage at my battery it reads 6.6V and I kept that plugged into a charger for a few hours. Anyone knows what is happening there ?
Won't turn over or won't start? If it won't turn over, any chance the starter is stuck? If so, but the car in gear and try rocking it back and forth to see if the starter will pop loose. Other than that, I've got nothing.
I only hear some loud thumping, it wont turn over, I had the car in third gear and rocked it back, nothing really happened there. I am still trying to find if it is a starter problem or actual spark plug or distributor issue. I am buying a hand crank to see if I can crank start the engine instead
might need to define your terms.... if the crankshaft is not rotating when you step on the starter button, then it's likely a problem with the starter, battery, cables, starter switch, or the engine is siezed. If the crankshaft rotates when you push the starter button, but the engine never fires, then it's likely a problem with the ignition or fuel, or possibly compression.
Another issue with terminology and definitions. You state that you "engage the clutch" but what I think what you mean is that you depressed the clutch pedal, which actually disengages the clutch. Attempting to start the engine with the clutch engaged and with the transmission in gear could have disastrous results. If you've never used a hand crank to start an engine I would advise that you concentrate your efforts on getting the engine to first turn over using the electric starter. It's a much safer way to start an engine for the uninitiated owner.
I have to say, if I get lucky, it will start, but the chance of that was like 1/20. I took it out on Sunday, after many failed attempt to start with this situation going on, then it finally fired up. However, when I tried to start it after I parked it in the garage, it gave in again.
We still don't know if you're having trouble with getting the crankshaft to turn, or with getting the engine to fire once the crankshaft is turning.
Just got back from a trip, but I am able to get the car going with hand crank every time. and when I tried to push down the starter from the engine bay, it spins then dies, I am suspecting that the starter is not engaging the fly wheel, being a recent owner of a classic, could this be a Bendix problem ? Any thought guys?
It would really help if you would answer members questions in your reply. They are trying to help you, but need more information.
Getting the crankshaft to turn, it turned out engine is not seized, I was able to start the car with hand crank, which rule out fuel issue, and implies there is sparking. At this point I believe it is a starter issue, not engaging flywheel. When I press the starter switch , heard some noise and nothing happened
So if the starter is spinning, but the engine is not turning, the starter Bendix could be the problem. Time to take the starter out and check it over. If you don't know what to look for, take it to a place that rebuilds starters and have them check it out. One other thought, if this has a foot controlled starter, the engagement may be controlled by your foot pushing the starter gear into the flywheel. If the linkage became disconnected the starter would still spin but the gear would not engage the flywheel.
If the “thumps” you hear are the engine hardly spinning, and yet you can start it no issue with the hand crank, my thought is a weak starter motor.
My Plymouth 218 starter wouldn't barely spin the motor when I first bought the car. I pulled the starter apart and found hard, caked on grease on the Bendix and shaft. I cleaned it up, regreased it and it has worked great since. Basically a free fix, worth a shot. Good luck.
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