The Ford Barn

Terry, NJ · 02-24-2017, 03:55 PM

Und So! Los and Beholds. This f#&$in' coupe is making me crazy again! When I left it yesterday the horn didn't work. Well as of today it did work. Argh went the horn! Oh Wow! I wonder if the lights work too? I got home and put it in the garage and ate lunch, I went out and played around with something else and I noticed the taillight was on. Hmmm Key is off (I don't know if it matters) Light switch is also off. Head lights still don't work and to turn the tail lights off, I have to turn the headlights to the on position. How does this car do that? I know what must have happened. Even though the bakelite discs are keyed with a slot that prevents them from turning, something is out of sync. But what the hell is wrong with this thing. The wiring is not frayed or farmer fixed. No head lights or brake light and I get tail lights where I shouldn't have any lights.
Terry

SeaSlugs · 02-24-2017, 04:32 PM

sounds like you need to disconnect the battery and pull the contact plate at the base of the column...if its saturated in oil they do weird things. Oil itself in 100% pure form is an insulator, but once it mixes with fine metalic dust from the steering box, contact points, picks up dirt and other conductive particles along the way it does weird things.

Take it apart, check for loose wires or corroded wires (stupid crimp only connections) surgically clean it with electrical contact cleaner (any auto parts store or evil walmart) both the contact disc and inside the housing - everywhere!

Then make sure everything is aligned and indexed correctly, wipe some dielectric grease on the contacts, and reassemble then see what you have.

Terry, NJ · 02-24-2017, 05:37 PM

Sounds like you've put your finger on at least part of the problem! It is saturated in oil, 600w to be exact. So oil is an insulator, Hmmmm , that would explain a lot of things. Although I haven't checked it yet, I'm sure the bakelite and the brass spider are mis indexed. On the oil, I've always considered oil to be at mid point between insulator and conductor. Evidently I was wrong. I will tend to it immediately. Thanks for posting!
Terry

Big hammer · 02-24-2017, 07:55 PM

On the two tooth gear box, they sell a plate with a stand pipe to keep oil out of the wiring!

SeaSlugs · 02-24-2017, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

On the two tooth gear box, they sell a plate with a stand pipe to keep oil out of the wiring!

agreed its its like $7...

Tom Wesenberg · 02-24-2017, 10:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Need pictures of the contact plate and switch contact ring.

ronn · 02-24-2017, 11:08 PM

Terry,

my suggestion, sell all of your cars and buy one nice running one that you can enjoy!

Mitch//pa · 02-25-2017, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

Terry,

my suggestion, sell all of your cars and buy one nice running one that you can enjoy!

Since ii GAVE him many of his parts i think i should get a cut of the profits

Terry, NJ · 02-25-2017, 09:12 AM

I thought I was when I bought this one. Looked nice, older restoration, good engine, ran strong. Good upholstery. It was to be my "nice" car. I really paid for this one too! So far I've replaced or rebuilt the front spring bushing, the steering box. the speedometer, Plus I have to get the transmission apart and solve these problems with the electrical system. All of these problems, except the steering box were NOT present at the time I bought it! I chalk it up to cheap parts that didn't last. This guy ,the restorer, wasn't above saving a buck by cutting corners. When he painted it, he didn't use any primer, just paint over steel. Never saw that before!
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

Terry,

my suggestion, sell all of your cars and buy one nice running one that you can enjoy!

ronn · 02-25-2017, 06:21 AM

Since ii GAVE him many of his parts i think i should get a cut of the profits

no wonder the darn thing wont run! sounds like the flim flam man was involved............

Mitch//pa · 02-25-2017, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

Since ii GAVE him many of his parts i think i should get a cut of the profits

no wonder the darn thing wont run! sounds like the flim flam man was involved............

Revise::
The parts had nothing to do with driveability or electrical.

katy · 02-25-2017, 11:41 AM

"I have to get the transmission apart and solve these problems with the electrical system"

Not likely that you will find the answer to your electrical problems in the transmission.

Terry, NJ · 02-25-2017, 03:27 PM

Well after much swearing, I finally got it to work! Looking at the brass "spider" contact plate, and getting nowhere, I decided to rotate it one third of a turn and try that. Although it looks as though any position will do. 3 groups of contacts and 3 contacts and they all look to be 120 degrees apart there are differences in the position. Get in wrong and you'll go crazy for a while until you get it right. And I took Sea Slugs' advice and cleaned all grease and oil off the contacts. The horn is louder and the lights are brighter! I still haven't got the brake light to work, but that is next. Thanks guys!
Terry

02-24-2017, 03:55 PM	#1
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Und So! Los and Beholds. This f#&$in' coupe is making me crazy again! When I left it yesterday the horn didn't work. Well as of today it did work. Argh went the horn! Oh Wow! I wonder if the lights work too? I got home and put it in the garage and ate lunch, I went out and played around with something else and I noticed the taillight was on. Hmmm Key is off (I don't know if it matters) Light switch is also off. Head lights still don't work and to turn the tail lights off, I have to turn the headlights to the on position. How does this car do that? I know what must have happened. Even though the bakelite discs are keyed with a slot that prevents them from turning, something is out of sync. But what the hell is wrong with this thing. The wiring is not frayed or farmer fixed. No head lights or brake light and I get tail lights where I shouldn't have any lights. Terry

02-24-2017, 04:32 PM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! sounds like you need to disconnect the battery and pull the contact plate at the base of the column...if its saturated in oil they do weird things. Oil itself in 100% pure form is an insulator, but once it mixes with fine metalic dust from the steering box, contact points, picks up dirt and other conductive particles along the way it does weird things. Take it apart, check for loose wires or corroded wires (stupid crimp only connections) surgically clean it with electrical contact cleaner (any auto parts store or evil walmart) both the contact disc and inside the housing - everywhere! Then make sure everything is aligned and indexed correctly, wipe some dielectric grease on the contacts, and reassemble then see what you have. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

02-24-2017, 05:37 PM	#3
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Sounds like you've put your finger on at least part of the problem! It is saturated in oil, 600w to be exact. So oil is an insulator, Hmmmm , that would explain a lot of things. Although I haven't checked it yet, I'm sure the bakelite and the brass spider are mis indexed. On the oil, I've always considered oil to be at mid point between insulator and conductor. Evidently I was wrong. I will tend to it immediately. Thanks for posting! Terry Last edited by Terry, NJ; 02-24-2017 at 07:13 PM.

02-24-2017, 07:55 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! On the two tooth gear box, they sell a plate with a stand pipe to keep oil out of the wiring!

02-24-2017, 10:25 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Need pictures of the contact plate and switch contact ring.

02-24-2017, 11:08 PM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,648	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Terry, my suggestion, sell all of your cars and buy one nice running one that you can enjoy!

02-25-2017, 06:21 AM	#10
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,648	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Since ii GAVE him many of his parts i think i should get a cut of the profits no wonder the darn thing wont run! sounds like the flim flam man was involved............

02-25-2017, 11:41 AM	#12
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,715	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! "I have to get the transmission apart and solve these problems with the electrical system" Not likely that you will find the answer to your electrical problems in the transmission. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

02-25-2017, 03:27 PM	#13
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,749	Re: More Crazy electrical sh, uhhh stuff! Well after much swearing, I finally got it to work! Looking at the brass "spider" contact plate, and getting nowhere, I decided to rotate it one third of a turn and try that. Although it looks as though any position will do. 3 groups of contacts and 3 contacts and they all look to be 120 degrees apart there are differences in the position. Get in wrong and you'll go crazy for a while until you get it right. And I took Sea Slugs' advice and cleaned all grease and oil off the contacts. The horn is louder and the lights are brighter! I still haven't got the brake light to work, but that is next. Thanks guys! Terry