Allis Chalmers WD45 Starter Trouble

[Dakotacornman]

I own a much loved and extremely dependable Allis Chalmers WD45. It is my go to for many jobs, and my dependable back up unit. Has always started easily. Changed oil and went to start, it gave a weak one turn over and then stopped cold. Weird! Battery terminals were cleaned, nothing. Battery is at 6 volts, so no charge needed. Engine cranks over with hand crank. Cleaned up the starter switch inside and out, nothing. Cables were a bit ugly, replaced, again nothing. Swapped out another starter and switch from a parts machine, and again nothing. No cranking at all. What could possibly be happening here?

 

[zzvyb6]

Can you manually jump it with a 3rd battery cable directly to the starter primary ?
Just because the battery reads 6 Volts doesn't mean the battery can pass enough current to engage the solenoid & starter motor.

Check battery for water level. If it's low, you might have to completely recharge it. See if a golf cart battery is available, 6 or 8 Volts.

 

[DJ54]

Sounds like a bad ground at the chassis end, either where the cable attaches to the chassis, or the starter mount. Starter grounds out through the starter case, so the mating surfaces need to be good and clean there too.

 

[Roadworthy]

Check the battery voltage when trying to start. The battery can show good voltage with no load but may really go low with the draw of the starter. If you've added water and charged the battery it may be time to replace it.

 

[ArlyA]

Didn't people switch these over to 12 volts?

 

[Cycledude]

6 volts doesn’t really mean much you need to put a load test on the battery and then decide what to do next.

 

[LouNY]

By starter switch you are referring to this correct,

When you pull the rod is it pushing the button in far enough to
make contact?
Have you tried mashing down on the button by hand.