6v Starter - Why Is There Continuity Between The + Terminal And The Body?

I have a '42 Ford GPW that I'm in the process of replacing the 6V starter motor on. The old starter still works okay, but one of the "ears" that the attachment bolts go through was cracked, which is why I'm replacing it.

I installed a rebuilt starter today, and when I was checking to make sure the ground connections to the engine block were good, I also tested with an ohmmeter between the starter's positive terminal and the body of the starter. To my surprise, there is continuity between the two.

At first I thought I'd messed something up when I installed the rebuilt starter. But then I checked at the same locations on the old starter - which again was working fine - and found that it too has continuity between the positive terminal and the body.

Electrical is not my strong suit, but I don't understand why continuity would exist between those two points. Can anyone enlighten me as to why this is?

 

To operate, current must pass through the starter's armature and field, to ground, same as every circuit in a traditional vehicle.

I think what you are seeing as continuity is actually the almost zero resistance of the starter's massive copper coils, virtually a dead short.

 

X2 it's also 6v so you will see a lot less resistance. Look at the winding thickness and think of how many feet are there then compare it to say 10g wire.

 

Thanks very much - that makes sense!

 

That is the way the circuit works. The solenoid breaks the power from the battery. Flow is from power+ through the starter brushes and commutator of the
motor to ground -. I like to test them with jumper cables before installing.

 

I doubt his jeep has a solenoid. Mechanical button/switch, I'd expect.

 

Correct - it has a floor starter button / switch.