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Old 05-21-2018, 01:19 PM   #1
Bud Man
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Default Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Working through all the issue to get my 29 Closed Cab on the road again, and so far so good, until today. Truck was running fine, with all lights and horn operating properly. Shut her down, returned about an hour later and now nothing. Starter will crank the engine, but she will not start and all lights and the horn are dead. Anybody experience this, and is there by any chance a straightforward fix? Thanks, as always for the help!
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Old 05-21-2018, 01:38 PM   #2
Curtis in MA
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

The power goes from the starter up to the terminal block.
Do you have the fuse at the starter?
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Old 05-21-2018, 01:39 PM   #3
frank55a
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Do you have a fuse block installed? Sounds like a blown fuse.
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Old 05-21-2018, 01:41 PM   #4
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Fuse holder can short out.
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Old 05-21-2018, 02:18 PM   #5
Bud Man
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Visually checked the 30 Amp starter use, looked good, so I ruled that out. After all the helpful replies, decided to replace it anyway...yep, you guessed it - fuse had burnt away from the end contact - couldn't see if it was blown.

Gosh, I'm a knucklehead..... thanks all!
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Old 05-21-2018, 02:51 PM   #6
Ernie Vitucci
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

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Bud, you are not a knucklehead! Those of us who have been driving A's for years have a great many scars on us from being bitten in the ass by our Model A's from time to time while they are trying to teach us how to maintain them!
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Old 05-21-2018, 03:32 PM   #7
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Hey Bud, If you don't have a couple of extra fuses in your "GO-Bag" we use to wrap the bad fuse with a foil chewing gum wrapper to get us home.
Or pick up one of these circuit breakers to replace the 30 amp fuse.
You still have to figure out "why" it blew?
https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=4124
Chap
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Old 05-21-2018, 03:50 PM   #8
Bob Wright
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

These drawing's will help, keep for future reference.
Bob
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Model A Wiring-DiagramColor.jpg (93.4 KB, 53 views)
File Type: jpg 2488817582_fb0a8ab85b.jpg (48.2 KB, 60 views)
File Type: jpg Model A pictorial wiring diagram-2.jpg (46.6 KB, 54 views)
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:32 PM   #9
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

These types of problems can be diagnosed VERY QUICKLY with a SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE test light. Be BRAVE & CURIOUS, you won't harm anything!
Bill Simple
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Old 05-22-2018, 01:02 AM   #10
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

[QUOTE=Bud Man;1631466]

Gosh, I'm a knuckleheadQUOTE]


We do not think that at all!!
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:22 AM   #11
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Bud Man,
You are not a knucklehead. My '30 town sedan was down for three weeks a couple years ago. I was supposed to escort a wedding and was going to be paid $100.00. My A Team friends came over and we checked everything several times and still no start. Frustrated we walked out of the garage and a novice asked me "what is that fuse for?" I told him and said the fuse doesn't look burned. Well, you guessed it. We changed the fuse and the problem was solved. I lost 100 bucks due to a .25 cent fuse.
Marty
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Old 05-22-2018, 09:22 AM   #12
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Gosh, Bud, I guess you're just not cut out for this line of work. The rest of us never make a dumb mistake...
(;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_))
(;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_))
(;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_))
(;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_)) (;-)_))
^
|---- (herd of laughing jackasses)
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Old 05-22-2018, 09:41 AM   #13
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Quote:
Originally Posted by chap52 View Post
Hey Bud, If you don't have a couple of extra fuses in your "GO-Bag" we use to wrap the bad fuse with a foil chewing gum wrapper to get us home.
Or pick up one of these circuit breakers to replace the 30 amp fuse.
You still have to figure out "why" it blew?
https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=4124
Chap


I have used what Chap just put a link to for over 25 years. I pick them up at NAPA and just bought a few to put in my Model A tools that I carry. If anyone on tour blows a fuse and no one has one I sell it to them. They baulk a little at the price, but when you can move on a tour there is enough pressure to make the purchase.
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Old 05-22-2018, 11:16 AM   #14
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Quote:
Originally Posted by chap52 View Post
Hey Bud, If you don't have a couple of extra fuses in your "GO-Bag" we use to wrap the bad fuse with a foil chewing gum wrapper to get us home.
Or pick up one of these circuit breakers to replace the 30 amp fuse.
You still have to figure out "why" it blew?
https://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=4124
Chap
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrBruce View Post
I have used what Chap just put a link to for over 25 years. I pick them up at NAPA and just bought a few to put in my Model A tools that I carry. If anyone on tour blows a fuse and no one has one I sell it to them. They baulk a little at the price, but when you can move on a tour there is enough pressure to make the purchase.
A LOT cheaper on Amazon.com... https://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-CBF-...it+breaker+12v

You can buy them for $4 and sell them to your "Friends" for ~$12.

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 05-22-2018 at 07:25 PM.
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Old 05-22-2018, 11:53 AM   #15
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrBruce View Post
I have used what Chap just put a link to for over 25 years. I pick them up at NAPA and just bought a few to put in my Model A tools that I carry. If anyone on tour blows a fuse and no one has one I sell it to them. They baulk a little at the price, but when you can move on a tour there is enough pressure to make the purchase.
I buy 5 for $2.25 and give them away to the poor stranded soul that doesn’t have a spare.
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Old 05-22-2018, 04:53 PM   #16
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud Man View Post
Visually checked the 30 Amp starter use, looked good, so I ruled that out. After all the helpful replies, decided to replace it anyway...yep, you guessed it - fuse had burnt away from the end contact - couldn't see if it was blown.

Gosh, I'm a knucklehead..... thanks all!

I had the same thing happen on my 48. Replace the whole turn signal switch because I could not get it to work, even checked the fuse with a meter and check good. After all that work, was standing in the sun light and as I turned the fuse end for end, there was a bead of solder rolling back and forth. That bead must have closed the gap when I check it.
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Old 05-22-2018, 10:58 PM   #17
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

I appreciate the sentiments all, thanks! Feel better...... Now if I can just remember to turn the gas tank valve on I'll be all set!!!! ����
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Old 05-23-2018, 03:04 AM   #18
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

You wonder if this "improvement" of a fuse is safe.

It may be safe to avert a possible short and have less damage to wiring.

Take the scenario of turning in front of traffic and the fuse blows, and the engine quits right in the path of the oncoming vehicle.

I do not believe in having the ignition circuit fused .
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Old 05-29-2018, 04:04 PM   #19
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Pooch
I agree -- what have you done to avoid that? Did you put your ignition circuit on an individual fuse block, perhaps?
Thanks

Last edited by rfitzpatrick; 05-29-2018 at 05:44 PM.
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Old 05-29-2018, 06:06 PM   #20
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Default Re: Lost All Power Except the Starter!

Quote:
Originally Posted by pooch View Post
You wonder if this "improvement" of a fuse is safe.

It may be safe to avert a possible short and have less damage to wiring.

Take the scenario of turning in front of traffic and the fuse blows, and the engine quits right in the path of the oncoming vehicle.

I do not believe in having the ignition circuit fused .
Ignition circuit is not fused, only the battery.
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