The Ford Barn

Richard/Ca · 01-03-2015, 01:36 AM

I don't know if any one has had this problem before.Last month my starter would not do nothing (short right). Took it out and bench tested it work fine.Put it back in still nothing.Check every thing else no juice any where but the battery.Full charge battery still nothing. Check ground cable hot on the post but nothing at the frame. Took ground cable off frame and put it on battery post and used a light to test it only got juice at the clamp nothing passed the clamp to the frame mounting hole.Let it soak it baking soda and water over night works fine now.

It is the web type cable.

Tom Wesenberg · 01-03-2015, 01:46 AM

I've never heard of that on the flat woven ground cables, but I have seen it happen on the insulated round cables.

Mike V. Florida · 01-03-2015, 02:07 AM

REPLACE IT. You're asking for trouble in the near future with another failure. The webbing is not attached to the clamp properly, either not crimped tight enough or not soldered properly. The corrosion you dissolved will come back.

Do you have a picture of the assembly?

J Franklin · 01-03-2015, 02:23 AM

I have seen that same thing and the corrosion was not visible under the connector. I had to destroy the cable to find the problem. I was testing with an ohmmeter. You should replace it.

C26Pinelake · 01-03-2015, 07:20 AM

I changed mine for a piece of ought / ought ( 00 ) welding cable and the welding shop even soldered on the ends. Worked so well that I changed 3 of my other cars to the same. Obviously you must ensure that the battery post and point of ground are clean.
Hope that helps. Wayne

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-03-2015, 07:36 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Why not replace and use the original type ground strap??

Mitch//pa · 01-03-2015, 10:07 AM

i also would not trust that cable, but would replace it with one thats correct for the car. the suppliers sell a good quality original style (braided)of what you have now.

Purdy Swoft · 01-03-2015, 11:56 AM

I agree with Mitch . Replace with a braided cable .

Mikeinnj · 01-03-2015, 01:05 PM

Why not use the original design that Henry used on all Model A's ?
Trouble free ! Available from Bratton's.

Purdy Swoft · 01-03-2015, 01:23 PM

Because the braided cable has flexability and is easier to work eith .

Tom Endy · 01-03-2015, 02:44 PM

It would also be a good idea to clean the area on the frame where the ground cable attaches, along with the bolt, washer, and nut.

Tom Endy

Purdy Swoft · 01-03-2015, 03:28 PM

For good measure, I always add an extra cable from the frame attachment to one of the bolts on the transmission top. This is hidden under the floorboards. Weak ground will cause the starter to turn slower. Most cars have had the engine pans removed. The engine pans added extra ground from the engine to the frame. Frame ground alone really isn't enough ground .

Richard/Ca · 01-03-2015, 07:48 PM

Will I really got some good answer. My cable was braided not web (sorry) But all the information was very useful. I did clean both sides of the frame before I put the cable on also put a second ground to a bell housing bolt is that OK. I put some sodder on the clamp where the braiding goes in. But I think I will replace it. It's not a show car so I think I will try the (00) cable.

Purdy Swoft · 01-03-2015, 08:09 PM

Should work really good .

Richard/Ca · 01-03-2015, 11:35 PM

I thank all of you for your answer and ideas. I will probably wait until Turlock to get a new braided cable.

01-03-2015, 01:36 AM	#1
Richard/Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manteca,Ca, Posts: 368	Postive ground cable I don't know if any one has had this problem before.Last month my starter would not do nothing (short right). Took it out and bench tested it work fine.Put it back in still nothing.Check every thing else no juice any where but the battery.Full charge battery still nothing. Check ground cable hot on the post but nothing at the frame. Took ground cable off frame and put it on battery post and used a light to test it only got juice at the clamp nothing passed the clamp to the frame mounting hole.Let it soak it baking soda and water over night works fine now.It is the web type cable.

01-03-2015, 01:46 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Postive ground cable I've never heard of that on the flat woven ground cables, but I have seen it happen on the insulated round cables.

01-03-2015, 02:07 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Postive ground cable REPLACE IT. You're asking for trouble in the near future with another failure. The webbing is not attached to the clamp properly, either not crimped tight enough or not soldered properly. The corrosion you dissolved will come back. Do you have a picture of the assembly? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-03-2015, 02:23 AM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Postive ground cable I have seen that same thing and the corrosion was not visible under the connector. I had to destroy the cable to find the problem. I was testing with an ohmmeter. You should replace it.

01-03-2015, 07:20 AM	#5
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Postive ground cable I changed mine for a piece of ought / ought ( 00 ) welding cable and the welding shop even soldered on the ends. Worked so well that I changed 3 of my other cars to the same. Obviously you must ensure that the battery post and point of ground are clean. Hope that helps. Wayne

01-03-2015, 07:36 AM	#6
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,516	Re: Postive ground cable Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Why not replace and use the original type ground strap?? __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-03-2015, 10:07 AM	#7
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Postive ground cable i also would not trust that cable, but would replace it with one thats correct for the car. the suppliers sell a good quality original style (braided)of what you have now.

01-03-2015, 11:56 AM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Postive ground cable I agree with Mitch . Replace with a braided cable .

01-03-2015, 01:23 PM	#10
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Postive ground cable Because the braided cable has flexability and is easier to work eith .

01-03-2015, 02:44 PM	#11
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Postive ground cable It would also be a good idea to clean the area on the frame where the ground cable attaches, along with the bolt, washer, and nut. Tom Endy

01-03-2015, 03:28 PM	#12
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Postive ground cable For good measure, I always add an extra cable from the frame attachment to one of the bolts on the transmission top. This is hidden under the floorboards. Weak ground will cause the starter to turn slower. Most cars have had the engine pans removed. The engine pans added extra ground from the engine to the frame. Frame ground alone really isn't enough ground .

01-03-2015, 07:48 PM	#13
Richard/Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manteca,Ca, Posts: 368	Re: Postive ground cable Will I really got some good answer. My cable was braided not web (sorry) But all the information was very useful. I did clean both sides of the frame before I put the cable on also put a second ground to a bell housing bolt is that OK. I put some sodder on the clamp where the braiding goes in. But I think I will replace it. It's not a show car so I think I will try the (00) cable.

01-03-2015, 08:09 PM	#14
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Postive ground cable Should work really good .

01-03-2015, 11:35 PM	#15
Richard/Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manteca,Ca, Posts: 368	Re: Postive ground cable I thank all of you for your answer and ideas. I will probably wait until Turlock to get a new braided cable.