Starting without starter.

[RESTREC]

I friend called me yesterday from a town 2 hours away and described me all the symtoms of a starter that would not work any more in his 93 Aerostar. I instructed him thru the phone to perform all the tests known just to get the engine running once more to avoid paying a tow truck. Nothing worked. He was towed. The question is: can a car with automatic transmission be pushed while in a gear to start the engine as it is a done with a manual transmision one ? Thanks.

[mastermech]

no you can't push start an automatic trans because there is no clutch to "connect" the engine to the driveline. An automatic works by pressure flowing thru the torque converter and thru the tranny.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by mastermech

no you can't push start an automatic trans because there is no clutch to "connect" the engine to the driveline. An automatic works by pressure flowing thru the torque converter and thru the tranny.

Back in the late 40's to the early 1960's, some auto transmissions had a rear fluid pump, as well as a front pump. The rear pump was specifically designed to rotate with the driveshaft and pressurize the transmission hydraulic system, allowing a push start.

However, with the advent of reliable 12 volt starting systems, such transmission designs were dropped simply because they were needed so rarely.

[Ima Ludite]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Back in the late 40's to the early 1960's, some auto transmissions had a rear fluid pump, as well as a front pump. The rear pump was specifically designed to rotate with the driveshaft and pressurize the transmission hydraulic system, allowing a push start.

However, with the advent of reliable 12 volt starting systems, such transmission designs were dropped simply because they were needed so rarely.

That is a common problem. Your tow truck drive should have known to rapp the starter with a wrench/hammer and it will then start for a few more times.

[occupant]

Powerglides can be push started, as well as very old Torqueflites. Maybe Ford-O-Matics (the 2-speed kind). But to start an Aerostar with a starting issue, I always try to crank it at the solenoid. It's how I've started mine for over a year because I'm too lazy to replace the ignition switch.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Ima Ludite

That is a common problem. Your tow truck drive should have known to rapp the starter with a wrench/hammer and it will then start for a few more times.

10-4 on the old hammer rap start.
It is sometimes good for another start or two.
But tow trucks drivers usually do not tell you how to get it started untill after they get the tow.