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Old 05-10-2021, 02:37 PM   #1
kursed30
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Default Battery Issue for a new owner

So two weeks ago I was lucky enough to inherit a 1930 Model A that has been sitting in a garage for the last 50 years. Slowly going through it trying to get it to run. Last week I bought a new battery and four days later it was dead. I am assuming there is a drain some place. Any tips for someone who has had to youtube everything about this car? lol
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Old 05-10-2021, 02:46 PM   #2
psimet
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Welcome - and I am new myself and doing a similar run down. I am sure someone with way more experience will chime in but my $0.02 would lead me to chase the ignition/popout switch. If this remained on either by key or by failure- it will be continuously energizing the coil. This could drain the battery.
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Old 05-10-2021, 02:51 PM   #3
Tom Endy
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Check the generator cut-out located on top of the generator. The contacts may be stuck closed. That will certainly drain the battery through the generator.

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Old 05-10-2021, 03:18 PM   #4
Model A Ron
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

If you had you key in the on position that would kill the battery.
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Old 05-10-2021, 03:19 PM   #5
Chuck Dempsey
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Welcome to the Barn, Kursed. What 'model' do you have? Tudor, Coupe?
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Old 05-10-2021, 03:35 PM   #6
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

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Disconnect one lead from the battery, preferably the ground. From cable end to battery terminal attach a test light or volt meter. If there is a draw the light will light or the meter will show battery voltage.

Just start disconnecting electrical stuff until the light goes out or the meter shows zero volts. Thats your draw. Whatever it is needs to be fixed.

Many things can cause a draw, Stuck stop light switch, stuck cut-out as mentioned, bad key switch as mentioned, a ground from key switch to fuel tank, etc.

This is one reason why many fellas install a master shut-off.
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Old 05-10-2021, 03:35 PM   #7
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

It is the 4 door coupe I think it is called. I will be honest, I don't know jack about this car. My mom inherited it and was just going to sell it. I said I would take it so it says in the family.
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Old 05-10-2021, 03:42 PM   #8
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Put your location in your profile; a member who lives near you may be able to dedicate a Saturday to assessing the car and helping you prioritize.
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Old 05-10-2021, 03:45 PM   #9
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Alex, I have actually had some really nice people from the local club stop by already. If all else fails I will bother them again. lol
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Old 05-10-2021, 04:04 PM   #10
jimTN
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Besides the cutout, one of the most common battery drain items on a A is the brake light switch staying on.
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Old 05-10-2021, 04:41 PM   #11
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimTN View Post
Besides the cutout, one of the most common battery drain items on a A is the brake light switch staying on.



Like #6
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Old 05-10-2021, 06:40 PM   #12
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

So I located the brake switch. How do I know if it's not working properly?
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Old 05-10-2021, 06:50 PM   #13
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by kursed30 View Post
So I located the brake switch. How do I know if it's not working properly?
If your not pushing on the brake pedal and your brake light is
on you have a problem.
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:13 PM   #14
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Patrick has the right idea. Use a test light or just a bulb. If you use a volt meter, but it into the ammeter mode so that you can see how much current is being drawn. If there is a big current draw you will get a spark when you scratch the chassis with the ground strap. Charge the battery with a battery charger before you do this, of course. Keep the charger on the battery until you figure out the current draw. The battery should not be left in the discharged state.

I thought about what Patrick said about measuring the voltage between the ground strap and ground. He is right, there should not be any voltage if there is no current draw.
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:18 PM   #15
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Like Bob said, is the stop/brake light on ?

Check for power at the switch and thru the switch. Or, remove a wire from it and see if the light[s] go out.

If the light is always on and the pedal linkage is working properly, then switch is bad. It can be changed easily or most times it can be fixed. If you buy a new one from one of the 'A' vendors get the expensive one.

The switch keeping the light on is a fairly common problem.
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:40 PM   #16
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Go in the garage at night without turning on your electricity and see if you find the culprit. Just don’t fall.
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:57 PM   #17
midgetracer
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Twice recently I have been asked to help out with a Model A that the battery went dead. Both times it was found that someone did not push in the popout switch, or make sure that it stayed in, and that drained the battery. Once it even caused the coil to swell up and then burn out. many folks who have not studied a Model A ignition do not know that a popout must be pushed in to open the switch contacts.
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Old 05-11-2021, 01:28 AM   #18
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Might familiarize yourself with the headlight switch also, lights could have been left on in the daylight and not noticed, especially if kids ( or curious adults) have been playing in the car. If I remember correctly, the handle straight down is off.

Just throwing it out there, personally, I do not park anything inside over night with the battery connected, old car, new car doesn't matter, but definitely not something with a questionable electrical system.

Welcome to the Model A world!

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Old 05-11-2021, 09:52 AM   #19
katy
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Possible dud battery.
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Old 05-11-2021, 10:06 AM   #20
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Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but there is current to the coil regardless of the position of the ignition switch. Everything is HOT on the care except to the distributor which is controlled by the ignition switch. I don't have a pop-up so I don't know if that is different. Check to see if you have a master cutoff switch on the drivers side engine wall, inside near the clutch or under the hood. If you have one, charge the battery and then turn the switch off and check your battery the next day. Don't forget to turn the switch back on like I have done.
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