newbie from OHIO. having big trouble

P

pheaton charlie

Junior Member
my dad bought a nice 29 pheaton last year. drove it for a while we parked it 1 night and it will not do anything :confused:. we made sure the optima battery was good checked the wiring all the way up to the terminal box. we have continuity all the way to the 6 v alt. we have nothing :mad: no power anywhere lights dont work it won't turn over and i'm desperate we want to get her back on the road.:( HOPE ONE OF YOU CAN HELP...... I live around Youngstown Ohio
 
Sounds like you may have a blown fuse. Look on top of the starter and see if there is a fuse holder???? Let us know we Can help!!!!
 
Have you charged the battery? They say an alternator will continue to draw a small amount of current when not running.
 
If you don't even have power at the starter stud I'd suspect a poor/bad ground.. That is, if you're really sure the battery is good.. This monster doesn't have a battery disconnect that may have been tripped does it ??
 
Check at the starter with a volt meter ... plus check your grounds closely Everything has to be on the up and up with a six volt system .. I sugest pulling your battery and doing a load test .. did you keep it trickle charged while in storage ? It is probably something simple
 
AMMETER??????

You should have 6 Volts between ground and each of the two terminals of the junction box on the engine side of the firewall. If you have 6 Volts to one terminal and not the other, the Ammeter may be bad. This is easy to check either with a Volt Meter or a test light.

If you do not have 6 Volts to either terminal, go to the starter post and check there. If no 6 Volts at the starter, get back to the battery and battery cable connections and main ground conection.


Let us know what you find.

Chris
 
ANOTHER THOUGHT!!!!!

If the starter will not crank at all, you have an issue with the battery or battery cables or connections or may be the starter switch.

As stated before by Mitch, With an alternator, often over long periods of just sitting, the alternator will slowly drain the battery. When you get everything sortd out, I would then consider installing a master switch to isolate the battery when the car is just sitting.

Chris
 
Did you check your battery cables to be sure they were not corroded?? Did you make sure the cables were not loose on the terminals? Did you check to be sure your battery was charged? (as mentioned above). These are the simple things and if that does not work then you can start on the items mentioned above.
 
Are you sure the battery is charged? You say you parked it at NIGHT; was the dash light left on? I've done it.

Also, I urge you to join a local Model A club; there must be one, or two. Google MARC or MAFCA and see what's available.

YOu are in a good place for parts. Snyders is nearby in New Springfield. Don is usually happy to offer advice over the phone. This probably won't be your last question!

Steve
 
Charlie , This sounds like a classic case of a high resistance connection at the battery or ground cable to chassis connection. Connect voltmeter to battery posts , not the clamps, then have someone step on starter button. If the voltmeter falls below 3 or 4 volts your battery may be at fault. If the voltmeter does not move you have a poor connection . Now put the voltmeter on the alt. connection and a good ground , If you have 6 volts , step on starter if it goes to zero or nearly so you have a high resistance connection. A tight cable clamp may not mean you have a good connection unless it is clean! I would clean the battery post and clamps also remove and clean where the ground cable is connected to the chassis . To get a good connection you need CLEAN and TIGHT . GOOD lUCK and let us know what you find . Bubby Sharp in KY
 
:confused:Sure would be nice to have some feedback. Many people have answered the question from many angles. Which ones were investigated or checked and what were the results ?

Everyone loves to help the newbie, but really like to have acknowledgement that the suggestions have been read at least.
 
Wonder if this guy got his car running or not?
Maybe he will post the answer in a few days.
Sometimes life gets in the way of our hobbies!
 
Sorry guys been working midnight and don't get on much when I,m working that shift. Thanks for all the advice. My dad gets home sat frome vacation and we are going to try out your ideas hopfully 1 works. the battery was taken to advance auto where they put it on there computer and it said it was good with 870 cold cranking amps. the fuse is good and the clips are tight. going to pull the ground wire off sunday and work with that and go from there. THANKS AGAIN
 
Keep in mind that the positive battery terminal is ground.

Also, if the starter doesn't turn and you have 6V everywhere else, you may want to loosen the three starter mount bolts and rock the car as the starter drive may be jammed.
 
BrianBurkert said:
Keep in mind that the positive battery terminal is ground.

Also, if the starter doesn't turn and you have 6V everywhere else, you may want to loosen the three starter mount bolts and rock the car as the starter drive may be jammed.
Click to expand...

P.S. Rock the car is high gear.
 
While you're at it, install a battery cable from the batt to one of the transmission bolts. Much better ground than to the chassis for starting. Can have a ground to the trans and to the chassis, that is the best way.
 
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