Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-10-2021, 02:37 PM   #1
kursed30
Member
 
kursed30's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Omaha, Ne.
Posts: 46
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
kursed30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 02:46 PM   #2
psimet
Senior Member
 
psimet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 159
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.
psimet is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-10-2021, 02:51 PM   #3
Tom Endy
Senior Member
 
Tom Endy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,122
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.

Tom Endy
Tom Endy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:18 PM   #4
Model A Ron
Senior Member
 
Model A Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Troutman, NC
Posts: 717
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

If you had you key in the on position that would kill the battery.
Model A Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:19 PM   #5
Chuck Dempsey
Senior Member
 
Chuck Dempsey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesville, NC
Posts: 778
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Welcome to the Barn, Kursed. What 'model' do you have? Tudor, Coupe?
Chuck Dempsey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:35 PM   #6
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
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.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:35 PM   #7
kursed30
Member
 
kursed30's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Omaha, Ne.
Posts: 46
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.
kursed30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:42 PM   #8
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
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.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 03:45 PM   #9
kursed30
Member
 
kursed30's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Omaha, Ne.
Posts: 46
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
kursed30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 04:04 PM   #10
jimTN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Powell, TN
Posts: 2,503
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.
jimTN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 04:41 PM   #11
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
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
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 06:40 PM   #12
kursed30
Member
 
kursed30's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Omaha, Ne.
Posts: 46
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

So I located the brake switch. How do I know if it's not working properly?
kursed30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 06:50 PM   #13
Bob C
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,712
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.
Bob C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 07:13 PM   #14
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,819
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.
__________________
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.

Last edited by nkaminar; 05-11-2021 at 06:55 AM.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 07:18 PM   #15
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
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.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 07:40 PM   #16
McMimmcs
Senior Member
 
McMimmcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Posts: 2,296
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.
McMimmcs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2021, 07:57 PM   #17
midgetracer
Senior Member
 
midgetracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bismarck ND
Posts: 1,189
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.
midgetracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 01:28 AM   #18
Blue-Truck-Nut
Member
 
Blue-Truck-Nut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Central New Mexico
Posts: 83
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!

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
Blue-Truck-Nut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 09:52 AM   #19
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Possible dud battery.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 10:06 AM   #20
Oldgearz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Sagle, Idaho
Posts: 359
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.
Oldgearz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 10:13 AM   #21
psimet
Senior Member
 
psimet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 159
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Great link to the wiring in the Model A. I have been looking through it but haven't memorized it yet. Every time I look at it I find something new. Firs couple of slides in should show you all most of the paths you could follow to check for pull.

https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Semi...ex%20Janke.pdf
psimet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 12:01 PM   #22
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldgearz View Post
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.



Yep, these old Fords are wired differently than a more modern vehicle. The coil is hot and the key/ ignition switch is what controls current to the distributor.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-11-2021, 07:04 PM   #23
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,819
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Except if it has a modern ignition switch, in which case the power to the coil could be off when the ignition switch is off.
__________________
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.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2021, 05:44 AM   #24
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
Except if it has a modern ignition switch, in which case the power to the coil could be off when the ignition switch is off.




If you just replace the switch it'll be wired the same. The switch is between the coil and points. Its not too hard to rewire so it is more like a modern vehicle. I prefer to do that, I don't like the coil hot until I want it to be hot.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2021, 10:14 AM   #25
KGBnut
Senior Member
 
KGBnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwestern Connecticut
Posts: 931
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

One check you can do...while the car is turned off, pull the belt off the generator. If the generator starts to spin on its own (known as "motoring") it suggests that the cutoff is bad and current is leaking back through the generator.

Good luck, and tell us what you find when you solve the problem.

Ken
__________________
Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.
KGBnut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2021, 02:11 PM   #26
Ernie Vitucci
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 611
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Good afternoon...One more thing to consider...if your 'A' still has the original wiring or very old wiring...the insulation may be cracked and falling off some place or the other...this condition will cause a short...just take a strong light and check all the wiring...to include that behind the little chrome dash board...four screws, top and bottom will let you take it off...Ernie in Arizona
Ernie Vitucci is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 03:42 PM   #27
kursed30
Member
 
kursed30's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Omaha, Ne.
Posts: 46
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Thanks for all the help! So I think I found the issue (maybe). After installing my freshly charged battery last night I noticed the tail lights on. I'm thinking i left the switch on the steering wheel on.......yeah i'm dumb.

I bought a terminal shut off for the future.
kursed30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 04:30 PM   #28
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

post-flight check list:
fuel off
levers up
switches off
key off
ammeter check
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 04:38 PM   #29
California Travieso
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Send a message via Yahoo to California Travieso
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Welcome to the “club”. The “yeah I’m dumb” club that is.

When I put the car in the garage I always shut off the gas valve and let the carburetor run dry until the car dies. One day I forgot to turn the key off so the battery was dead the next time I got in it.

I also tried to start the car one time by pressing the foot rest instead of the starter switch.

David Serrano
California Travieso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 08:11 PM   #30
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by kursed30 View Post
Thanks for all the help! So I think I found the issue (maybe). After installing my freshly charged battery last night I noticed the tail lights on. I'm thinking i left the switch on the steering wheel on.......yeah i'm dumb.

I bought a terminal shut off for the future.
You not dumb, the stop light switch has power to it all the time, switch sticks and you don't see and then the battery goes dead.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 08:11 PM   #31
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by kursed30 View Post
Thanks for all the help! So I think I found the issue (maybe). After installing my freshly charged battery last night I noticed the tail lights on. I'm thinking i left the switch on the steering wheel on.......yeah i'm dumb.

I bought a terminal shut off for the future.
You not dumb, the stop light switch has power to it all the time, switch sticks and you don't see and then the battery goes dead.

Learning curve ! We have all been there.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2021, 11:50 PM   #32
Blue-Truck-Nut
Member
 
Blue-Truck-Nut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Central New Mexico
Posts: 83
Default Re: Battery Issue for a new owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by kursed30 View Post
Thanks for all the help! So I think I found the issue (maybe). After installing my freshly charged battery last night I noticed the tail lights on. I'm thinking i left the switch on the steering wheel on.......yeah i'm dumb.



I bought a terminal shut off for the future.
Again, not dumb. It's a learning experience, just like anything else. Soon you will probably learn all kinds of things that look simple in hindsight.

On your fancy new battery disconnect, if it's the post type with the thumb wheel, those get gunked up and need cleaned occasionally, just a warning.
Good luck!

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
Blue-Truck-Nut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:43 PM.