1956 ground issue? RESOLVED

[Caddy Wizard]

Glad you sorted it out.  My advice was not the one that did the trick, but it doesn't matter.  The important thing is that you are good to go!

I always find that if you just are persistent and stubborn, most any old car problem can be sorted out in time.


Art

[Lexi]

Art as always your advice was sound, and logical considering that this was an area that I had experienced problems with in the past with this car, (ground issues). Most important is that I found your assistance inspirational and it helped give me the drive to fix it. I thought you and the others that pitched in to assist did a great job considering that you did NOT have the car to examine, just my description of the problem. That is always a tough spot for those willing to assist to be in. I am sure that I speak for all who use this Forum that regardless of that obstacle there are thankfully members always willing to take the plunge and help. In the future someone else will run into this and they will have these posts as well as others to review. Anyways, I attended an out of town Cadillac show today and the car ran beautifully. Yes, I traveled with a ton of tools in the trunk but thankfully I did not need them! Thanks again. Clay/Lexi

[Omarine]

Hello gentlemen,

My 52 cdv is now giving me the ‘click’ sound when trying to start it. Happened suddenly while cranking. Now it wont crank at all, battery seems new, has water and 6 v on the meter.

I just got the car and haven't put miles on it yet.

This thread has given me lots if insight.

Car arrived with ground wires misconfigured. The negative on the battery is bolted to the intake manifold, and i could be wrong, but i have yet to spot the ground wire to the starter.

Battery Cables are new and heavy gauge. I want to return ground straps to original locations first before delving into other areas.

Does anyone have a picture of the negative ground straps from battery to frame, and then to starter? Manual doesn't show pictures. Any pics of the ground straps would be helpful.

Car runs well, but some hands were in it before mine...

Thanks all,
Oscar

[Glen]

I am not familiar with the ’52 but generally there is no ground cable to the starter.  It is grounded through the body of the starter and its contact with the engine and bell housing.  Make sure the engine block is grounded.  It maybe grounded by braided straps to the fire wall.  Or it maybe grounded by the battery cable connected to the engine. 
When the solenoid clicks but the starter does not spin that means the main contacts have not closed.  This maybe bad contacts or the starter gear did not fully engage the flywheel. 
HTH

[Omarine]

Thanks Glen,

the starter contacts issue makes sense to me in this case.  The starter had worked fine, gear engagement etc for the several times I've been able to start it in the month I've had the car. Then it cranked for a few seconds and quit suddenly. 

I plan to remove the starter and go through it, and add the ground bolt to end plate while I'm at it.

Been looking for replacement contacts but can't find any.  Are they available in a kit or something? My search hasn't turned anything up.

thanks!
oscar

[J. Gomez]

Thanks Glen,

the starter contacts issue makes sense to me in this case.  The starter had worked fine, gear engagement etc for the several times I've been able to start it in the month I've had the car. Then it cranked for a few seconds and quit suddenly. 

I plan to remove the starter and go through it, and add the ground bolt to end plate while I'm at it.

Been looking for replacement contacts but can't find any.  Are they available in a kit or something? My search hasn't turned anything up.

thanks!
oscar

Normally the negative side braided battery cable is place on one of the starter mounting bolts and it then extends over to the chassis. This is how the ’55 and ’56 are not sure if the early models have different arrangement as in your case.   

Oscar,

The “click” sound you mention would be from the starter solenoid, when you turn the ignition key to “IGN” the solenoid would engage pushing the starter drive forward and extending the “+” side over to the starter motor.

Have you check your ignition switch and most important your NSS (neutral safety switch) are working properly and the wiring is in good shape?

The ignition switch will extend the voltage up to the NSS and the contacts from the NSS (when the transmission lever is place on “P” or “N” -> not sure if the same applies to the ’52) will then extend it over to the solenoid. Make sure you have a good continuity between these up to the solenoid.

Maybe is best to start a new thread to address your’52 topic not to confuse with this ’56 topic. 

[Omarine]

Thanks for that J.Gomez, that's another thing I will check.  you're probably right about the thread -started out asking about the battery ground strap and it's now gotten into the starter topic...

regards
oscar