Page:Ford manual 1919.djvu/55



The starting and lighting system is of the two unit type and consists of the starting motor, generator, storage battery, ammeter, and lights, together with the necessary wiring and connections.

The starting motor is mounted on the left hand side of the engine and bolted to the transmission cover. When in operation the pinion on the Bendix drive shaft engages with the teeth on the flywheel.

If the starting motor is turning the crank shalt over and the engine fails to start, the trouble is not in the starting system. In this event release the button at once so as not to unnecessarily discharge the batten; and inspect the carburetor and ignition system to determine the trouble.

If the starting motor fails to act, after pushing the button, ﬁrst inspect the terminal on the starting motor, the two terminals on the battery and the two terminals on starting switch, making sure all of the connections are tight: then examine the wiring for a break in the insulation that would cause a short circuit. If the wiring and connections are O. K. and the starting motor fails to act, test the battery with a hydrometer. If the hydrometer reading is less than 1.225 the trouble is no doubt due to a weak or discharged battery.

Should the driver accidentally step on the starting button while the engine in running, no harm will result. The pinion merely touches the revolving flywheel car once and immediately routes with the threaded shaft out of contact with the flywheel, in the same manner as when it has been disengaged by the engine's starting.

The generator is mounted on the right-hand side of the engine and bolted to the cylinder front end cover. It is operated by the pinion on the armature shaft engaging with the large time gear. The charging rate of generator is set so as to cut in at engine speeds corresponding to 10 miles per hour in high speed and reaches a maximum charging rate at 20 miles per hour. At higher speeds the charge will taper off, which is a settled characteristics of a generator. This operation of cutting in and cutting cut at suitable speeds is accomplished by the cut-out which is mounted on the generator. This cut-out is set properly at the factory and should not under any circumstances be tampered with. [55]