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FFOG · 02-05-2026, 09:36 AM

Thank you all for your feedback! Here is where I am at.

I began my night by cleaning all of the connections related to the battery. I even took apart the braided ground strap and used my Dremel to clean the frame and other surfaces. Next, I took apart the starter switch on the starter to inspect and cleaned all of those surfaces and connections. I then went to do the voltage testing. I got 6 plus volts at the battery, starter, the terminal box, coil and finally the points. I also tested the fuse and put the car in 3rd gear and rocked it a bit just in case the starter was stuck. Still no lights, horn or starting.

I decided to clean up and call it a night. After a bit, curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to grab my meter and check the voltage at the starter one more time for fun… I got 0.00 (nothing), so fiddled around trying to get a reading and still nothing, so I went and checked battery, and got 6.3 volts. I then decided to take the negative cable off of the starter switch to test. I had to fuss with it but could get 6 volts if I held the cable and meter just right. All that said, I have bought a new positive battery cable and will install it tonight and see what happens. It is so strange that it showed 6 volts after first cleaning and installing but an hour later 0.00 volts.

UPDATE: I typed all of the above last night while it was fresh in my mind. I just realized that I put a piece of card stock in the points to open them up to get my points reading and never removed it. I had 6 volts at the starter before I did that, but not after. I don’t think that would cause a 0.00 volt reading at the starter but correct me if I am wrong. I’m still going to change the negative cable as it looks rough, and then see what happens

I’m still puzzled my the lack of lights and horn, but I guess a than perfect positive cable could be the problem.

Aside from not solving the problem, it was a great night from a learning standpoint. I learned so much about my car!

Thanks, and I will keep you posted on my journey!

02-05-2026, 09:36 AM	#13
FFOG Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 17	Re: New Battery, No Power/Lights/Starter Thank you all for your feedback! Here is where I am at. I began my night by cleaning all of the connections related to the battery. I even took apart the braided ground strap and used my Dremel to clean the frame and other surfaces. Next, I took apart the starter switch on the starter to inspect and cleaned all of those surfaces and connections. I then went to do the voltage testing. I got 6 plus volts at the battery, starter, the terminal box, coil and finally the points. I also tested the fuse and put the car in 3rd gear and rocked it a bit just in case the starter was stuck. Still no lights, horn or starting. I decided to clean up and call it a night. After a bit, curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to grab my meter and check the voltage at the starter one more time for fun… I got 0.00 (nothing), so fiddled around trying to get a reading and still nothing, so I went and checked battery, and got 6.3 volts. I then decided to take the negative cable off of the starter switch to test. I had to fuss with it but could get 6 volts if I held the cable and meter just right. All that said, I have bought a new positive battery cable and will install it tonight and see what happens. It is so strange that it showed 6 volts after first cleaning and installing but an hour later 0.00 volts. UPDATE: I typed all of the above last night while it was fresh in my mind. I just realized that I put a piece of card stock in the points to open them up to get my points reading and never removed it. I had 6 volts at the starter before I did that, but not after. I don’t think that would cause a 0.00 volt reading at the starter but correct me if I am wrong. I’m still going to change the negative cable as it looks rough, and then see what happens I’m still puzzled my the lack of lights and horn, but I guess a than perfect positive cable could be the problem. Aside from not solving the problem, it was a great night from a learning standpoint. I learned so much about my car! Thanks, and I will keep you posted on my journey!