How to test starter solenoid

OK here's the back story. 49 Hudson, 53(?) 308 Twin H. Car started and ran fine for awhile. Got it registered and the second day on the road the starter started just spinning not engaging. I had the starter rebuild and now it just clicks when in the car. You can set it on the garage floor and put battery cables on it and it will work. Put it in the car,nothing. So I took the cables and starter solenoid to the parts store to get replacements. Of course they don't have any 6 volt solenoids so I wanted a way to test it. If you push the ****on on the bottom of it (pictured below) with an ohm meter on it it shows connection but I have no idea if it is losing voltage in the process. Any other ideas you guys might have for my new problem would be helpful too. Btw I replaced the battery already so I know it's good.

 

have you tried just byp***ing the solenoid, just take one cable off and touch the other cable to see if the engine rolls over?

 

Don't ***ume the battery is good because its been replaced. Those days are long gone.
Try to narrow it down a bit more.

If you want to test the solenoid you could use a load tester for a battery with the solenoid in the line. Comparing that to just the battery.

 

Yes and it didn't help. I am heading out there now armed with my new cables to see if there is a different result.

The battery has been tested, I had the shop I bought it at test it before I left. I will bring the battery and solenoid to the place that built my starter tomorrow and have them checked together. Thanks

 

Connect a voltmeter across the terminals on your solenoid when in the car. (make sure voltmeter is on DC)

Try and crank your car, the voltage reading will be the voltage dropped across the solenoid. Shouldn't be higher than 0.5v-1v. Keep doing voltage drop checks across both the lead from the battery to the solenoid and the solenoid to the starter. If it clicks it means the control side is working, but may be corroded contacts in the solenoid, or you have a bad connection somewhere.

Hope this helps.

 

OK I just came back in. With the battery, solenoid and started on the floor you push the ****on and it spins over. The voltage is 5.4-5.8 volts while spinning the starter. Put it all back in the car and it just clicks alot

 

If it clicks my guess its the starter cable dirty or loose try another cable check the ends of all big cables and ground cable.

 

OK I'm convinced it is the starter gear not meshing with the flywheel. That is producing a clicking noise. What do I do about that?

 

Post #8.... I would be sure the drive gear is free to run in and out ,....Sounds like it's sticking, and not engaging. Grease getting on those "bendix" drives can make them stick. The key is to have it clean and free of grease, oil dirt, etc.

4TTRUK

 

Yep it comes out perfectly. I started there before doing anything else as that was something that needed done before I had it rebuilt. I am just not trusting the rebuild. It wasn't an issue prior to having them work on it. I have ordered a new starter and am going to see where that gets me.

 

bad ground ... period
add another engine to batt neg term. cable,,,, ground strap and extra to body and recheck

think circle of power

six volts needs big cables clicking means not enuf juice to energize the "noid "

double check its gound too

huge six volt batteries with large no. cca are availible at implement dealers

 

Take the starter out. Rotate the mounting plate on the starter 180 degrees. put the starter back in. try again.

 

Updating this because I hate seeing trouble threads without a result. I bought another starter and life is good. The car starts perfectly everytime. Clearly there is an issue with the other starter.

51Hornetdude, I didn't see your post until after I purchased the other starter, I will give that a shot and see how it goes. Either way I'm fine with having an extra, you can never have too many spare parts for these old cars. I am sure it is an issue with the bendix after getting the new one. The old one would spin just not engage. If rotating the mounting plate doesn't work I will get another bendix and try that. Thanks again