'54 TEA Starter continuity

[chuck130]

12V generator, positive ground - while troubleshooting why I cannot get my machine to run, (it had 1.4 hrs on it before it quit) I probed and found continuity between the starter terminal (-) and the chassis (+). Could this be the source of my electrical woes? (I am confident that it's not fuel related and have checked all other aspects of the electrical system).

 

[DennisPinOhio]

Jerry/MT will surely answer this for you as he is an elecrical whiz.

 

[chuck130]

Further to my last, because there is continuity between the starter terminal (-) and the chassis (+), there is also continuity between the two terminals of the transmission-mounted starter switch. This doesn't seem right to me - shouldn't there only be continuity when the switch is closed (gear shifter to 'S')?

 

[Jim W]

Take the wires off the switch and measure again, and there should not be continuity unless the gear lever is in the start position.

 

[Phil (NJ,Az,Sask)]

chuck130,
I don't know what you mean when you say continuity. If you are measuring OHMs you need to remember that -ve battery exists on some points, like the little S terminal on Starter solenoid. Ohms & battery don't mix!

The Starter is a very low impedance LOAD and will have continuity between its frame and the big stud connected to the solenoid.

Hope this Helps,