The Ford Barn

Texas Tom · 09-23-2010, 06:13 AM

I'm on a week-long club tour with my '36. Yesterday afternoon, while driving about 50 mph, it abruptly lost power, and then regained it, only to repeat the symptom several times in the next mile. Finally, the engine quit and I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I could not restart it. It just turns over and turns over and turns over, but won't start.

I determined that there is no fuel delivery problem.

The coil was quite warm, but not too hot to handle. I replaced the coil with a new one. Still would not start.

I checked for spark, and wasn't getting any at the spark plug wire. So I assumed the distributor was faulty. My system is 12 volt and the distributor is electronic, with an alternator. I then replaced the distributor with a new one (identical to the one that was replaced). STILL no start.

So after replacing the coil and distributor with new components, I'm right where I was when I started.

The car had been running beautifully until it abruptly lost power.

If anybody has suggestions, I'm all ears. THANKS.

George/Maine · 09-23-2010, 06:38 AM

Try jumper from battery to coil maybe no power.Dump some gas down carb maybe fuel problem.

Terry,OH · 09-23-2010, 07:01 AM

it is possible the ignition switch has gone bad or if your using a resistor in series with the coil it may have gone open circuit so you may have lost voltage to the distributor. I would also suggest you jumper the battery (Not the ground side) to the distributor connection. If the engine starts it will only stop if the jumper is removed. This is for testing only. Do not try to drive for miles with the jumper installed, the jumper will be bypassing the resistor. If you do not have the resistor in series with the distributor, I would suggest you just jumper the ignition switch, inside the car if the car runs you can drive, again the engine will only stop when the jumper is removed. In either case do not leave the jumper on with the car not running for more than about 30 Sec.

Henry/Kokomo · 09-23-2010, 07:18 AM

In addition to what others have posted, condenser may be faulty. If you haven't already done so, try replacing it.

IVT1 · 09-23-2010, 03:45 PM

Tom, I would the jumper cable trick, it seems that most people are overlooking the fact that you said electronic Ign. meaning no points or cond.& that you said that it is getting fuel. wire from batt. to coil bypasses Ign. switch

Frank The Plumber · 09-23-2010, 06:14 PM

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Is your distributor supposed to be grounded?

dewert · 11-13-2010, 02:03 PM

I have the same problem. If you have solved it could you please let me know. This has happened about 3 times so something is shorting out.

Mark Slight · 11-13-2010, 02:53 PM

I had the same problem with 1938 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe, all stock 6 volt. With a friend helping and several hours of cleaning ground circuts we found the rivets on the fiber board for the resistor under the dash were loose! Removed the board, cleaned the connecting wire ends, reset the rivets with a punch on an anvil and reinstalled it with new screws to the under dash side of the firewall. No more problems for 6 years now.
Mark

gmc1941 · 11-13-2010, 10:55 PM

Do you have a spark when you remove a plug wire at about 1/4 away. do you have a good fuel flow. When you pump the gas pedal with the ign off, you can see fuel spray???

Old Henry · 11-14-2010, 02:28 AM

Here are a couple of wiring diagrams that might help.

09-23-2010, 06:13 AM	#1
Texas Tom Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 137	What's wrong with my electrical system??? I'm on a week-long club tour with my '36. Yesterday afternoon, while driving about 50 mph, it abruptly lost power, and then regained it, only to repeat the symptom several times in the next mile. Finally, the engine quit and I coasted to a stop on the side of the road. I could not restart it. It just turns over and turns over and turns over, but won't start. I determined that there is no fuel delivery problem. The coil was quite warm, but not too hot to handle. I replaced the coil with a new one. Still would not start. I checked for spark, and wasn't getting any at the spark plug wire. So I assumed the distributor was faulty. My system is 12 volt and the distributor is electronic, with an alternator. I then replaced the distributor with a new one (identical to the one that was replaced). STILL no start. So after replacing the coil and distributor with new components, I'm right where I was when I started. The car had been running beautifully until it abruptly lost power. If anybody has suggestions, I'm all ears. THANKS.

09-23-2010, 06:38 AM	#2
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? Try jumper from battery to coil maybe no power.Dump some gas down carb maybe fuel problem.

09-23-2010, 07:01 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? it is possible the ignition switch has gone bad or if your using a resistor in series with the coil it may have gone open circuit so you may have lost voltage to the distributor. I would also suggest you jumper the battery (Not the ground side) to the distributor connection. If the engine starts it will only stop if the jumper is removed. This is for testing only. Do not try to drive for miles with the jumper installed, the jumper will be bypassing the resistor. If you do not have the resistor in series with the distributor, I would suggest you just jumper the ignition switch, inside the car if the car runs you can drive, again the engine will only stop when the jumper is removed. In either case do not leave the jumper on with the car not running for more than about 30 Sec.

09-23-2010, 07:18 AM	#4
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? In addition to what others have posted, condenser may be faulty. If you haven't already done so, try replacing it.

09-23-2010, 03:45 PM	#5
IVT1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mobile,Al. Posts: 146	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? Tom, I would the jumper cable trick, it seems that most people are overlooking the fact that you said electronic Ign. meaning no points or cond.& that you said that it is getting fuel. wire from batt. to coil bypasses Ign. switch __________________ Go hard, or Go home

09-23-2010, 06:14 PM	#6
Frank The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 693	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is your distributor supposed to be grounded?

11-13-2010, 02:03 PM	#7
dewert Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 40	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? I have the same problem. If you have solved it could you please let me know. This has happened about 3 times so something is shorting out.

11-13-2010, 02:53 PM	#8
Mark Slight Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dixon, CA Posts: 473	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? I had the same problem with 1938 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe, all stock 6 volt. With a friend helping and several hours of cleaning ground circuts we found the rivets on the fiber board for the resistor under the dash were loose! Removed the board, cleaned the connecting wire ends, reset the rivets with a punch on an anvil and reinstalled it with new screws to the under dash side of the firewall. No more problems for 6 years now. Mark Last edited by Mark Slight; 11-13-2010 at 02:58 PM.

11-13-2010, 10:55 PM	#9
gmc1941 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Palatine, Il Posts: 486	Re: What's wrong with my electrical system??? Do you have a spark when you remove a plug wire at about 1/4 away. do you have a good fuel flow. When you pump the gas pedal with the ign off, you can see fuel spray??? __________________ 1939 Fordor Deluxe 1939 Ford Coupe Std 1940 Ford pickup Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.