Posted by Clint Dixon [104.22.24.158] on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 14:03:07 :
After 46 years, I experienced my first instance of the starter not immediately winding up after I pressed the foot operated push button switch.
I pushed the switch to start the truck and heard a slight "pop" like the armature rotated a degree or two, and then....nothing. It acted like the battery was completely disconnected.
I started checking continuity and found power everywhere I expected it to be. After a few minutes of checking around, I tried it again and the starter worked and started the engine like normal.
I am thinking the saddle mounted switch may be starting to loose contact, or the armature and brushes are developing a dead spot.
I always carry the original crank in the truck, but I have never had to use it and hope I never will.
I have not checked to see if the saddle mounted switches are available. I see the Auto-Lite part number for the switch is SW-2677A (for a WDX). And then it changed in 1948 to SW-2813 along with a change in the starter part number also.
Has anyone here had one go bad?
Junior
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