|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
06-15-2020, 09:00 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
|
No electricity. No crank. No horn
Hi everyone,
I have a 1928 Model A. It's been sitting in my garage for one year now. When I tried to start it, there was no crank. I though the battery died, so I bought a brand new battery. After replacing the battery, I still hear no crank. In fact, the horn does not work. It's as if there is no electricity at all. But I am measuring 6V across these two points (red circles in the attachment) where I trickle charge the battery. So the battery is making contacts, but somewhere there is a disconnect. I would very much appreciate if anyone can give me some suggestions on how I can debug this issue. I would love to take the car out for a drive this summer. Thank you very much for your time, George |
06-15-2020, 09:22 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
I woulf check that starter fuse and then check all of the connections and wires for breaks. Another thought would be to take a test light and go until you cannot get a charge.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same." |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
06-15-2020, 10:03 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,907
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
What is the wire coming off of the starter connected to? Your picture doesn't show it and it is not the usual routing of where that wire would normally go.
Is it to a solenoid? Your horn could just be stuck a bit from sitting for so long. Pull the back cover off and give the horn motor a spin with your finger while pushing the horn button.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska |
06-15-2020, 10:28 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,111
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
I had an older fuse block with a bad connection on one end. All looked well but tracing back with a VOM identified the fault.
__________________
Tim Downtown, Ca |
06-15-2020, 11:44 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,336
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Whoa, let's backup a minute here. The fuse would have nothing to do with it cranking over or not. I would start by checking all connections between the battery and starter. It could be reading 6v even with a corroded connection. Once you get it to turn over, then check the rest of the electrical system.
__________________
Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread" Last edited by Ruth; 06-16-2020 at 12:18 PM. |
06-16-2020, 09:18 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
If you have starter switch voltage as indicated, remove the large lead on the starter switch, remove the switch, and short the lead to the starter contact. If it arcs/turns over the starter, probably switch issue. |
06-16-2020, 09:38 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 794
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Check the posative side of the battery to the frame connection. There are only two connections in this circuit, the one from the battery to the starter and the other from the battery to the frame. Is there a cutoff as the wire from the starter goes up and not to the usual routing to the battery under the floor boards.
|
06-16-2020, 09:43 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Guthrie, OK
Posts: 1,144
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Check/clean the battery ground post connection to the frame. A voltmeter can read through the corrosion but not much operating current can pass through.
|
06-16-2020, 09:45 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,042
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Does the car have a battery disconnect switch?
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
06-16-2020, 09:49 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,425
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Polarity doesn't matter much to the starter but positive ground is normal for model As. The starter switch may be crusty. It's not hard to pull it and check the connections of the switch. If the switch is good, there may be a problem with the starter motor. Check the fuse for continuity through it by checking the buss connection for the horn and headlights on the generator cut out. The horn may need some lubricant or the grounding circuit to the horn button may have a problem.
The old cars always need some TLC after a long nap. The longer the nap, the more TLC they generally need. |
06-16-2020, 09:53 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
|
06-16-2020, 10:01 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest CT
Posts: 1,092
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Poor connections would give 6v at the starter but breakdown when any current was drawn. I recently replaced one battery cable end. I'd put the cable on the battery, tighten everything up, get lights and horn but when I tried the starter I'd get nothing and then no lights or horn. Pulling the cable back off the battery and cleaning the terminal would work sometimes but it was getting annoying, thus the new cable end.
In the OP's case, I would measure the voltage like you were while having someone else step on the starter. I'll bet it's dropping to 0 or very close to it. |
06-16-2020, 10:10 AM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Quote:
Thanks Ryan |
|
06-16-2020, 11:30 AM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Fort Worth side of DFW
Posts: 171
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Quote:
After looking at the picture the safety fuse(circuit breaker) is labeled 12V; I'm not sure what is required for a 12V conversion but you may want to start there. |
|
06-16-2020, 12:59 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,340
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Don't think it's a solenoid, you would have to press the starter pedal then a starter button for that setup to work. Might be a disconnect, which shouls be on the other leg of the battery anyway. If there is voltage between the points indicated in the photo, then what ever is not shown should be working. Could be a stuck bendix. If you have a hand crank, try cranking the motor over out of gear. If you can't, put in gear and rock the car back and forth.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! |
06-16-2020, 01:08 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,045
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Maybe there is a hidden disconnect switch. The starter should crank when you press the starter foot switch. Also, when you get it running, be aware that the stock Model A has positive ground, meaning that the negative is what connects to the starter.
|
06-16-2020, 01:33 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Would be nice to have more info, we are just guessing.
Is it 6 v or 12V, positive or negative ground, generator or alternator? Perhaps disconnect switch in the battery ground lead or located elsewhere, or located in the battery power lead to the starter and maybe under the hood? Did he measure 6 v or -6v, Was the voltmeter negative probe on the head nut of the stater? Pictures would be a plus. |
06-16-2020, 04:57 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
You need to see if the engine will rotate. Put it in third gear and push it backwards. If the fan blade rotates, that clears the bendix. If it won’t turn, push hard rearward until you hear it pop loose.
Let us know where you are. Their May be a club near you that could get running. Good luck |
06-20-2020, 09:24 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern,Maine
Posts: 141
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Here's a wiring diagram should give a better understanding of what to checkout.
Could you post a picture of the firewall, is the battery or a solenoid mounted there? |
06-20-2020, 03:42 PM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Young Harris, GA
Posts: 1,815
|
Re: No electricity. No crank. No horn
Quote:
__________________
Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!" |
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|