The Ford Barn

rivcokid · 07-06-2022, 01:55 PM

Hi all - I'm trying to get a friend's 1928 truck going and having no luck. It would crank and not start. Then, we heard a pop and it won't even crank now. When I put the voltmeter on the battery and the starter, it reads "OL" which I've determined means open loop. The truck is pretty stock but has been converted to 12 volt negative ground.

Any ideas of where to start on this?

Thanks

sinbad339 · 07-06-2022, 02:22 PM

"OL" on a modern meter typically indicates "Over Load" or "Out of Range". Be sure that if this is a multi-meter, that the DC Voltage mode is selected. Next, if it is not auto-ranging, set the appropriate scale for the 12V system; that may be 20V. Or better yet, set it to the highest range first, then move down if a lower range will work.

nkaminar · 07-06-2022, 03:04 PM

Follow advice of Sinbad. Once you get a true voltage reading on the battery, move to the terminal on the starter switch and measure the voltage there. Then move to the posts on the junction box and measure the voltage there. Then move to the coil. Then to the points with them open or a card inserted. You may have something as simple as a loose or corroded battery connection or ground strap.

A "pop" can come from a number of things. Please describe what the pop sounded like. Was it electrical or mechanical. The starter Bendix drive could be stuck. Does the engine turn over with the hand crank or in when you push the truck in high gear?

Everyone on the Barn are willing to try and help you but more detailed information is needed. You can also search out someone local in Riverside via a Model A club.

A useful site for all things electrical is at: https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf

rotorwrench · 07-06-2022, 04:26 PM

A 12-volt conversion has to be done properly. The coil should be either a 3-Ohm primary type for 12-volt or it could be a 1.5-Ohm primary type with a ballast resistor. No telling what ignition switch it has. It may have a model A distributor mounted condenser or it could be some conversion. Coils are polarity sensitive so power should be on the + side with negative ground.

The engine may have stuck valves. No telling what the fuel system condition is. It has to be clear, clean, & well adjusted.

If the truck ran recently, resuscitation should be less problematic. If it's been laying up for several years, there could be any number of problems.

rivcokid · 07-06-2022, 07:06 PM

Thanks all - it's only been since about February that it hasn't started, and I was assured that it ran fine then, so I'm thinking it's still something small. I'm going back over there in a few days. Will take your advice and see what happens. thanks again!

katy · 07-07-2022, 10:49 AM

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Does it have an inline fuse somewhere?

07-06-2022, 01:55 PM	#1
rivcokid Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	OL Reading on a 28 truck Hi all - I'm trying to get a friend's 1928 truck going and having no luck. It would crank and not start. Then, we heard a pop and it won't even crank now. When I put the voltmeter on the battery and the starter, it reads "OL" which I've determined means open loop. The truck is pretty stock but has been converted to 12 volt negative ground. Any ideas of where to start on this? Thanks

07-06-2022, 02:22 PM	#2
sinbad339 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Painesville, OH Posts: 22	Re: OL Reading on a 28 truck "OL" on a modern meter typically indicates "Over Load" or "Out of Range". Be sure that if this is a multi-meter, that the DC Voltage mode is selected. Next, if it is not auto-ranging, set the appropriate scale for the 12V system; that may be 20V. Or better yet, set it to the highest range first, then move down if a lower range will work. __________________ "Our times are characterized by a perfection of means and a confusion of ends." - A. Einstein

07-06-2022, 03:04 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,904	Re: OL Reading on a 28 truck Follow advice of Sinbad. Once you get a true voltage reading on the battery, move to the terminal on the starter switch and measure the voltage there. Then move to the posts on the junction box and measure the voltage there. Then move to the coil. Then to the points with them open or a card inserted. You may have something as simple as a loose or corroded battery connection or ground strap. A "pop" can come from a number of things. Please describe what the pop sounded like. Was it electrical or mechanical. The starter Bendix drive could be stuck. Does the engine turn over with the hand crank or in when you push the truck in high gear? Everyone on the Barn are willing to try and help you but more detailed information is needed. You can also search out someone local in Riverside via a Model A club. A useful site for all things electrical is at: https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-06-2022, 04:26 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: OL Reading on a 28 truck A 12-volt conversion has to be done properly. The coil should be either a 3-Ohm primary type for 12-volt or it could be a 1.5-Ohm primary type with a ballast resistor. No telling what ignition switch it has. It may have a model A distributor mounted condenser or it could be some conversion. Coils are polarity sensitive so power should be on the + side with negative ground. The engine may have stuck valves. No telling what the fuel system condition is. It has to be clear, clean, & well adjusted. If the truck ran recently, resuscitation should be less problematic. If it's been laying up for several years, there could be any number of problems. Last edited by rotorwrench; 07-06-2022 at 04:31 PM.

07-06-2022, 07:06 PM	#5
rivcokid Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	Re: OL Reading on a 28 truck Thanks all - it's only been since about February that it hasn't started, and I was assured that it ran fine then, so I'm thinking it's still something small. I'm going back over there in a few days. Will take your advice and see what happens. thanks again!

07-07-2022, 10:49 AM	#6
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: OL Reading on a 28 truck Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Does it have an inline fuse somewhere? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!