The Ford Barn

JoeCB · 05-01-2021, 03:09 PM

First time ever since I have had this car for 50 years, electrical issue. Last fall at the end of the season... battery went dead. Old battery I figured. Just now installing a new battery, I notice a tiny spark as I connected the last terminal... Uh Oh !
My VOM shows a 4 amp draw. So what on a 31 Coupe draws 4 amps? After diddling around with a bunch of wires, I find an intermittent connection at the push lock ignition switch. With the switch pushed in (off) wiggle the key and occasionally get a sustained "on" connection. So now to pull the whole darn cable/ switch assembly and see what's going on.
Answer to the question what draws 4 amps? ... the coil.

Joe B

700rpm · 05-01-2021, 05:21 PM

Dick Crabtree can fix that right up for you.

Ernie Vitucci · 05-01-2021, 06:33 PM

Good afternoon...Your pop-out system needs some love! You can send it out for a re-build and use a simple two position key switch (on-off) in the meantime...Bratton's and Burts have good ones and Snyders as well, also Sammy at Arizona Model A. I had mine re-built some years ago and never got around to putting it back in the car! Ernie in Arizona

JoeCB · 05-01-2021, 06:48 PM

How to contact Mr Crabtree? or does sell through a supplier or on line

Joe

Tom Endy · 05-01-2021, 08:22 PM

The four amps is the current flow through the ignition coil. When you switch the ignition on and the points should happen to be closed the circuit will draw a nominal four amps through the coil. A short in the pop-out cable or at the ignition switch would put a ground on the coil and it would do the same.

I had the pop-out cable for my Grandson's 30 Tudor rebuilt by Dick Crabtree,

He is in Missouri 605-487-7229.

Tom Endy

700rpm · 05-01-2021, 09:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Dick is a member here. You could also do a search of members and send him a PM.

CWPASADENA · 05-01-2021, 09:38 PM

Dick Crabtree is in Pickstown, South Dakota, on Missouri Drive.

[email protected]

Excellent work at very fair prices.

Chris W.

JoeCB · 05-01-2021, 11:14 PM

Thank you guys. I'll make that contact

Joe B

katy · 05-02-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

The four amps is the current flow through the ignition coil. When you switch the ignition on and the points should happen to be closed the circuit will draw a nominal four amps through the coil.

FWIW, w/the engine running the current will be down to about 1 or 1&1/2 amps.

05-01-2021, 03:09 PM	#1
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 284	First time electrical problem First time ever since I have had this car for 50 years, electrical issue. Last fall at the end of the season... battery went dead. Old battery I figured. Just now installing a new battery, I notice a tiny spark as I connected the last terminal... Uh Oh ! My VOM shows a 4 amp draw. So what on a 31 Coupe draws 4 amps? After diddling around with a bunch of wires, I find an intermittent connection at the push lock ignition switch. With the switch pushed in (off) wiggle the key and occasionally get a sustained "on" connection. So now to pull the whole darn cable/ switch assembly and see what's going on. Answer to the question what draws 4 amps? ... the coil. Joe B

05-01-2021, 05:21 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,902	Re: First time electrical problem Dick Crabtree can fix that right up for you. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

05-01-2021, 06:33 PM	#3
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 611	Re: First time electrical problem Good afternoon...Your pop-out system needs some love! You can send it out for a re-build and use a simple two position key switch (on-off) in the meantime...Bratton's and Burts have good ones and Snyders as well, also Sammy at Arizona Model A. I had mine re-built some years ago and never got around to putting it back in the car! Ernie in Arizona

05-01-2021, 06:48 PM	#4
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 284	Re: First time electrical problem How to contact Mr Crabtree? or does sell through a supplier or on line Joe

05-01-2021, 08:22 PM	#5
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,130	Re: First time electrical problem The four amps is the current flow through the ignition coil. When you switch the ignition on and the points should happen to be closed the circuit will draw a nominal four amps through the coil. A short in the pop-out cable or at the ignition switch would put a ground on the coil and it would do the same. I had the pop-out cable for my Grandson's 30 Tudor rebuilt by Dick Crabtree, He is in Missouri 605-487-7229. Tom Endy

05-01-2021, 09:08 PM	#6
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,902	Re: First time electrical problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Dick is a member here. You could also do a search of members and send him a PM. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

05-01-2021, 09:38 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: First time electrical problem Dick Crabtree is in Pickstown, South Dakota, on Missouri Drive. [email protected] Excellent work at very fair prices. Chris W.

05-01-2021, 11:14 PM	#8
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 284	Re: First time electrical problem Thank you guys. I'll make that contact Joe B

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