The Ford Barn

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 11:01 AM

I went to start the A Sunday and it would not start. So I have checked the battery connections and cleaned them up, still nothing. Cleaned the ground, nope. Checked the disconnect switch I have by bypassing them and still nothing. Cleaned the starter switch wires, still nothing. The battery is not dead, I hooked it up to my charger and it was pretty much full. What is the problem? We finally have some nice weather out here!

wmws · 06-11-2019, 11:36 AM

By not start I assume you mean won't crank. You have checked all the important connections. So I would check the switch contact on top of the starter. Or possibly your starter pinion is jammed on the ring gear.

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 11:38 AM

Let me elaborate on my post: nothing works on the car electrically.

Farrell In Vancouver · 06-11-2019, 11:47 AM

How old is the Battery.
How much voltage is the Battery holding?

Patrick L. · 06-11-2019, 11:53 AM

If nothing is working then I guess its time to get out the test light or volt meter. Start at the beginning and just keep checking for voltage. Since nothing is working the problem shouldn't be far from the battery or starter terminal.

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 12:02 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The battery was in the car when I bought it. The date on it was April 2018. Time to grab the volt meter.

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 01:43 PM

I fixed it! Traced the problem to the terminal box where one of the wires slipped out of the flag terminal. Temporarily fixed it until I can do it right.

Patrick L. · 06-11-2019, 01:51 PM

Well, wires slipping out of their terminals is not a good thing.

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Well, wires slipping out of their terminals is not a good thing.

Especially since the car was rewired with new wire last fall...

1931 flamingo · 06-11-2019, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the update ! !
Paul in CT

Purdy Swoft · 06-11-2019, 03:10 PM

I usually solder the ends of the wires so they can't come off .

jm29henry · 06-11-2019, 05:30 PM

could someone please help me understand ? if the battery positive cable goes to the frame and the negative cable goes to the starter,how does a wire on the terminal box keep it from turning over. i can see that it would keep it from firing up but i believe it should have CRANKED OVER!!!

Patrick L. · 06-11-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

I usually solder the ends of the wires so they can't come off .

Me too. I guess we have a lot of old to go along with our fashion.

Patrick L. · 06-11-2019, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm29henry

could someone please help me understand ? if the battery positive cable goes to the frame and the negative cable goes to the starter,how does a wire on the terminal box keep it from turning over. i can see that it would keep it from firing up but i believe it should have CRANKED OVER!!!

I had the same question also, but, he said its fixed, so,,,,,

Life has its wonderments.

chrs1961815 · 06-11-2019, 09:15 PM

I never said I tried to crank it!

30 Closed Cab PU · 06-12-2019, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrs1961815

I never said I tried to crank it!

Previous post - "Let me elaborate on my post: nothing works on the car electrically.".

We assumed that this statement also meant the Starter was not working.

katy · 06-12-2019, 09:40 AM

Does the car have the foot push starter switch? Or does it have/use a solenoid?

Quote:

I never said I tried to crank it!

FWIW, a Model A engine can be cranked over w/the starter or by using the hand crank.

Patrick L. · 06-12-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

Previous post - "Let me elaborate on my post: nothing works on the car electrically.".

We assumed that this statement also meant the Starter was not working.

I guess that is what happens when we assume things.

J Franklin · 06-12-2019, 02:19 PM

How was the car supposed to start if it is not cranked by the starter or hand?

Benson · 06-12-2019, 05:48 PM

Huh?

06-11-2019, 11:01 AM	#1
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Electrical Problem? I went to start the A Sunday and it would not start. So I have checked the battery connections and cleaned them up, still nothing. Cleaned the ground, nope. Checked the disconnect switch I have by bypassing them and still nothing. Cleaned the starter switch wires, still nothing. The battery is not dead, I hooked it up to my charger and it was pretty much full. What is the problem? We finally have some nice weather out here! __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

06-11-2019, 11:36 AM	#2
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Electrical Problem? By not start I assume you mean won't crank. You have checked all the important connections. So I would check the switch contact on top of the starter. Or possibly your starter pinion is jammed on the ring gear.

06-11-2019, 11:38 AM	#3
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Electrical Problem? Let me elaborate on my post: nothing works on the car electrically. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

06-11-2019, 11:47 AM	#4
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Electrical Problem? How old is the Battery. How much voltage is the Battery holding?

06-11-2019, 11:53 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Electrical Problem? If nothing is working then I guess its time to get out the test light or volt meter. Start at the beginning and just keep checking for voltage. Since nothing is working the problem shouldn't be far from the battery or starter terminal.

06-11-2019, 12:02 PM	#6
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Electrical Problem? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The battery was in the car when I bought it. The date on it was April 2018. Time to grab the volt meter. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

06-11-2019, 01:43 PM	#7
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Electrical Problem? I fixed it! Traced the problem to the terminal box where one of the wires slipped out of the flag terminal. Temporarily fixed it until I can do it right. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

06-11-2019, 01:51 PM	#8
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Electrical Problem? Well, wires slipping out of their terminals is not a good thing.

06-11-2019, 02:38 PM	#10
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Electrical Problem? Thanks for the update ! ! Paul in CT

06-11-2019, 03:10 PM	#11
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Electrical Problem? I usually solder the ends of the wires so they can't come off .

06-11-2019, 05:30 PM	#12
jm29henry Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: michigan Posts: 1,138	Re: Electrical Problem? could someone please help me understand ? if the battery positive cable goes to the frame and the negative cable goes to the starter,how does a wire on the terminal box keep it from turning over. i can see that it would keep it from firing up but i believe it should have CRANKED OVER!!!

06-11-2019, 09:15 PM	#15
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Electrical Problem? I never said I tried to crank it! __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

06-12-2019, 02:19 PM	#19
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,370	Re: Electrical Problem? How was the car supposed to start if it is not cranked by the starter or hand?

06-12-2019, 05:48 PM	#20
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cen~Col - Central Highlands Posts: 2,757	Re: Electrical Problem? Huh? Last edited by Benson; 06-13-2019 at 07:07 AM.