Jubilee won't run

Was helping my Grandpa put a new battery in the Jubilee. When we were done he tried to turn it over but just got the clicking noise like you do when the battery is low. I cleaned the battery cables and tightened them again. This time the engine started and ran for about three to four minutes before stopping. At first we thought it was low on gas so I dumped a few gallons in. It started again and this time ran for maybe a minute before stopping. It never chugged or anything like engines do when they are running out of fuel so I'm thinking something electrical. It stopped like it would when you turn the key off.

We never did get it started again. Just got the clicking noise from the solonoid. The battery was showing a charge when the engine was running and showed a discharge when the key was on without the engine running. Here is another question....with the key off we still got the clicking noise from the solonoid. Should the engine be able to turn over with the key in the off position? I know the old Allis Chalmers I had would turn over but not start with the switch off but I don't know if the Ford will do the same.

Anyhow, I would sure appreciate any help I can get. Let me know if I need to elaborate on anything.

Chris

If you have a known good battery, good connections, and the starter is clean inside, then replace the cables. I had problems with a cable, which looked ok on the outside, but was not carrying enough current to turn over the starter. The way I discovered it was I jumpered from the battery to the starter and it turned over, but not fast enough to start. I replaced the cable with one of the big ones (as dell says) and never had the problem again.

Fessman

Dell, if your listening... Am I wrong in thinking that if you have a bad key switch it'll still turn over but you won't get no sparkies? I know on my Jube it'll turn over all day without the key on(don't ask) but it sure won't start.

Chris

Remember the 6 volt mantra: "keep'em clean, bright, and tight". And don't be fer usin' enny of them thar wimmpy ferrin made battery cables. Use hairy chested 'merican double aught (00) size yer thumb battery cables. That'll get ridd of yer clicks. Your battery cables can actually look good outside but can actually be bad inside the moulded clamps or hidden bad stuff under the insulation..... ....Dell

A good place to check for a bad connection ( other than the key switch ) is at the union of the ground strap to the frame... mine had been painted real well, -under- the strap... had to sand down to bright metal then reconnect. Also invested the few bucks for a new key switch.

Soundguy