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Cajon, Im not quite sure yet what system you have. Regardless of how they were original, I have seen manyyyyy jury rigs n conversions over the years. At Serial Number 201,000 and up (1947) they changed from an electric starter solenoid (mounted right on starter) which was activated by a start switch, over to the pure mechanical starter switch activated by a push pedal with no electrical type start switch. Therefore, your talk of that dash switch has me a lil cornfused. From your post and how they were originally made, however, Im guessing for now its not been jury rigged and is like the later mechanical starter switches NOT any solenoid on the starter. Im also assuming you mean the starter is not cranking the engine when you depress the pedal right????? ? NOT that shes cranking but wont start. (If so post back n let me know) That being said and assumptions made, I suspect either the starter or more likely the mechanical push switch is bad. The big battery cable on the switches post is from the ungrounded battery post, while the smaller wire leading off of it is what normally feeds power up to the lights n ignition via the ammeter. You say the lights are fed from the negative side of the battery??? That will still work as, assuming its Positive ground, its still hot voltage, although it should be fed via the ammeter so it can read true charge or discharge current. Sooooo oo if my assumptions are correct (its a mechanical start switch and shes not cranking when start pedal is depressed) what I would do is disconenct the batterys ground and then remove the start switch for inspection. If the copper looking post under it, which comes out of the starter, is all burned or carboned up or badly pitted it may be the fault and need replaced. You might try cleaning n wire brushing and light filing it smooth n see if she works then. Also, if the washer/contactor on that push switch is all burned up or carboned that may be the cause and you simply need a new start switch. Make sure any rod adjustments etc allow that start switch to be FULLY DEPRESSED, otherwise it wont make electrical contact. When depressed to start if the lights dim badly and the battery voltage drops drastically but she dont crank over, I suspect more of a starter problem. However, if the lights dont dim at all but she dont crank, I suspect the switch is bad as discussed above. FIRST HOWEVER, remove, clean n wire brush, and re attach each n every battery n starter n starter switch n ground cable as a bad cable or connection can be the cause of non or slow cranking. Sure the battery is good n well charged??? Try another battery or a jump !!!!! Post back your findings and any questions, lemme know then I can probably help you troubleshoot further. Dont overlook simple things like a bad battery or cable or connection or bad ground !!!!! !! John T Nordhoff in Indiana
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