The Ford Barn

Grape PI · 02-24-2018, 12:09 PM

OK Ganng. I could use a bit of help here.

So I took my 29 out today. Ran great. The horn has only worked intermittently since I bought it in October. A while back, I oiled it and spun it by hand. That seemed to fix the problem. On my ride today, I tried the horn just to see if it was working. When I did, I lost RPM and the car backfired many times. I found that if I depressed the horn button, it ran better and did not backfire. I limped it home about a mile and a half like that. Luckily making into the garage. Now it will not start. Acts like no spark. Also, there are after market turning signals on the car. When this issue began, the indicator lights on the unit attached to the steering column became very bright.

Any ideas?

burner31 · 02-24-2018, 12:17 PM

Disconnect everything except what's need for the engine to run.
I think I'd start with the horn.

Bob C · 02-24-2018, 12:22 PM

I'd check for bad ground. Check ground cable from battery to frame.

Bob

eagle · 02-24-2018, 05:13 PM

Use the wiring diagram and start troubleshooting. There is no way an armchair mechanic with those few meager clues can do anything except guess. Buy a GOOD multimeter, use the diagram, mark voltages as you go. Track it down. Don't "fix" anything until you figure out whats broke/bad. You'll get a bunch of random..."replace the condenser/flux capacitor" "Change the blinker fluid" etc etc. Replacing parts will just introduce more issues.

cpf240 · 02-24-2018, 08:05 PM

While I completely agree with what Eagle has said, I'd add that the problem seemed to coincide with the use of the horn. Thus, if I were working on this problem, I'd start with the light switch at the bottom of the steering column, as that is where the horn contact is made. Perhaps the spider came loose, and is causing a short.

Bill G · 02-24-2018, 08:49 PM

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Check the fuse. If the fuse blew or if you have a bad battery connection, that might cause your symptoms. You may have been running straight off the generator.

Grape PI · 02-25-2018, 11:22 AM

Positive ground terminal on battery connection is broken. Any chance this is the cause?

burner31 · 02-25-2018, 12:02 PM

Fix it and see

Grape PI · 02-25-2018, 12:30 PM

New cable installed. Still no spark.

burner31 · 02-25-2018, 12:44 PM

Continue on Brother
Step one...Disconnect eveything but whats needed for the engine

Grape PI · 02-25-2018, 03:01 PM

Update

6.24V everywhere. Both sides of starter. Both sides of terminal box. Both sides of coil. I have voltage to movable point when open. When they close, no voltage on either side and voltage on driver side of coil goes away as it should.

No spark from coil wire that leads to distributor.

Bob C · 02-25-2018, 03:10 PM

Have you checked the wire from the coil then??

Bob

Grape PI · 02-25-2018, 04:17 PM

UPDATE!

Key ignition switch was the problem. Bypassed it and we are off and running.

Thanks for all of the input guys!

Beer time!

SDJason · 02-25-2018, 04:41 PM

Congratulations - it must feel great and be quite a relief to have figured it out!

SeaSlugs · 02-26-2018, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grape PI

UPDATE!

Key ignition switch was the problem. Bypassed it and we are off and running.

Thanks for all of the input guys!

Beer time!

Is it one of those cheap crappy ones with the 2 screw terminals out the back that like to short against the gas tank?

burner31 · 02-26-2018, 12:52 PM

I cover my my tank behind the ignition switch with a few layers of electrical tape...just to be sure

02-24-2018, 12:09 PM	#1
Grape PI Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portland NY Posts: 12	Pushed horn, now no spark OK Ganng. I could use a bit of help here. So I took my 29 out today. Ran great. The horn has only worked intermittently since I bought it in October. A while back, I oiled it and spun it by hand. That seemed to fix the problem. On my ride today, I tried the horn just to see if it was working. When I did, I lost RPM and the car backfired many times. I found that if I depressed the horn button, it ran better and did not backfire. I limped it home about a mile and a half like that. Luckily making into the garage. Now it will not start. Acts like no spark. Also, there are after market turning signals on the car. When this issue began, the indicator lights on the unit attached to the steering column became very bright. Any ideas?

02-24-2018, 12:22 PM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,749	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark I'd check for bad ground. Check ground cable from battery to frame. Bob

02-24-2018, 05:13 PM	#4
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Use the wiring diagram and start troubleshooting. There is no way an armchair mechanic with those few meager clues can do anything except guess. Buy a GOOD multimeter, use the diagram, mark voltages as you go. Track it down. Don't "fix" anything until you figure out whats broke/bad. You'll get a bunch of random..."replace the condenser/flux capacitor" "Change the blinker fluid" etc etc. Replacing parts will just introduce more issues. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

02-24-2018, 08:05 PM	#5
cpf240 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Northern Idaho Posts: 282	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark While I completely agree with what Eagle has said, I'd add that the problem seemed to coincide with the use of the horn. Thus, if I were working on this problem, I'd start with the light switch at the bottom of the steering column, as that is where the horn contact is made. Perhaps the spider came loose, and is causing a short.

02-24-2018, 08:49 PM	#6
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Check the fuse. If the fuse blew or if you have a bad battery connection, that might cause your symptoms. You may have been running straight off the generator.

02-25-2018, 11:22 AM	#7
Grape PI Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portland NY Posts: 12	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Positive ground terminal on battery connection is broken. Any chance this is the cause?

02-25-2018, 12:02 PM	#8
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Fix it and see __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

02-25-2018, 12:30 PM	#9
Grape PI Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portland NY Posts: 12	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark New cable installed. Still no spark.

02-25-2018, 12:44 PM	#10
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Continue on Brother Step one...Disconnect eveything but whats needed for the engine __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

02-25-2018, 03:01 PM	#11
Grape PI Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portland NY Posts: 12	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Update 6.24V everywhere. Both sides of starter. Both sides of terminal box. Both sides of coil. I have voltage to movable point when open. When they close, no voltage on either side and voltage on driver side of coil goes away as it should. No spark from coil wire that leads to distributor.

02-25-2018, 03:10 PM	#12
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,749	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Have you checked the wire from the coil then?? Bob

02-25-2018, 04:17 PM	#13
Grape PI Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Portland NY Posts: 12	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark UPDATE! Key ignition switch was the problem. Bypassed it and we are off and running. Thanks for all of the input guys! Beer time!

02-25-2018, 04:41 PM	#14
SDJason Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 442	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark Congratulations - it must feel great and be quite a relief to have figured it out!

02-26-2018, 12:52 PM	#16
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Pushed horn, now no spark I cover my my tank behind the ignition switch with a few layers of electrical tape...just to be sure __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B