Blown fuse
 

I went for a test dive in a 31 I am hoping to buy. The car started and ran fine. Upon our return, we stopped at the foot of the driveway to take some pictures. I thought the owner, who was driving, had turned off the engine. When he attempted to restart the car it would not. We discovered the fuse had blown. He claimed this had never happened in the 4 years he owned the car. With a new fuse installed the car started right up and everything worked fine. Now, I'm concerned there might be something wrong with the electrical system and wonder if I should buy the car. Any suggestions on what to do now will be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Find the short and fix it. A good visual check might show where it is. Wiggle everything you can reach. Could be fuse the holder, probably a wire rubbing on the edge of some metal. Try all the lights at the same time. This should not be a problem You and the owner should be able to fix it quickly.
good luck.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Check the stop light switch, it's under the floor on the back side of the cross member.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Should be obvious in the engine compartment. If not, check inside junction block, behind the dash, and brake switch.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Thank you all so much. Yeah, it is kind of obvious that there is a loose connection someplace. I've asked the owner to take a look and see if he can locate and repair the issue. I'm hoping he can do it quick so I can make him an offer on the car.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Was the fuse black inside (shown that it had blown from overload)? Or was it just NFG (not found good)? Some of the cheaper (read Chinese) fuses have a tendency to fail internally for no obvious reason.
What shape is the wiring harness in? Newer replacement or old and ratty ?

Re: Blown fuse
 

Katy - The fuse was one of those little glass tubes with a thin strip of metal inside. The metal strip was very clearly 'melted' in the middle.

Re: Blown fuse
 

It's not a lose connection, it is a short to ground.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Good Morning...As a possible new owner you might want to help to find the short...only to be sure it has been found and repaired. All of us have to do this now and again as our machines are older than we are...and many of us are actually old! Learning your way around the Model A electrical system is a skill that will be quite helpful as long as you own the 'A'. Ernie in Arizona

Re: Blown fuse
 

What amp rating was the blown fuse?

Re: Blown fuse
 

I would put a new one in and see how it works out before going too far.Glass fuses really are not able to take much abuse,and the way they are mounted destroys them.Rigid mount,constant vibration,heat,they do just get tired of it and pop.If another one pops right off,you can start looking for a problem.I usually have one go if the car sits around with no use for a couple of years.Run it for a few minutes,or days,then it melts.Put another one in and go for a couple more years.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Very good question!!

Re: Blown fuse
 

The owner wasn't sure of the amps of the fuse. Like I said, with a new fuse the car started right up and ran fine. He's going over everything to see if he can locate the problem. He's even replacing the spark plugs just to be sure. Although, like I said, with the new fuse, the car started right up. Everything else in the car is as near perfect as can be. The owner did a lot of work on the engine. He's owned other antique cars for many years and has a lot of experience.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Don't let a blown fuse deter you from buying the car! The wiring system is so simple in a Model A that it will be easy to find and fix the problem. Use it as a bargaining chip to get the seller to knock off a couple hundred bucks!

Re: Blown fuse
 

Everything else in the car is as near perfect as can be. There will be plenty of things that come up after you buy it and in the years to come. A blowing fuse can be a bit frustrating if its intermittent but its really not complicated. Do NOT expect it to be new, issues are to be expected from an almost 100 year old machine. Very few old cars are really restored, most are repaired. Big difference.

Re: Blown fuse
 

The amperage should be stamped on the metal part of the fuse, one end or the other.

Re: Blown fuse
 

Thank you all for your comments. In the early 80's I owned a 1930 Model A Tudor. Then, 'upgraded' to a 1931 Phaeton. So, I owned a Model A for a total of more than 18 years. I had to sell 24 years ago. Luckily, I never had a problem with either car. Now, living in NJ and can't wait to get another. If the owner can't find a problem I'm thinking I'll buy the car anyway and just carry a few fuses. If one blows again, I'll search for a problem myself. The car is so beautiful, I can't wait to own it - see below.

Re: Blown fuse
 

The wiring in an A is very simple. Not much to it. Find the short and fix it. Enjoy that beautiful car.

Re: Blown fuse
 

BUY IT! Half the fun is troubleshooting assuming you make it home to troubleshoot in your own yard. From my chair behind my computer it looks to me the brake light switch or even the brake light bulb could be an issue as it happened as you stopped. Like others have said it's not that hard to find it....from my house anyway!

Re: Blown fuse
 

I would definitely buy the car. Easy to fix. But, you have an excellent opportunity to negotiate a reduced price to cover the cost of new harness, etc. Good luck, Ed