Battery spark

Dean Plute · Aug 2, 2023

I have a 1962 Ford 4000 with 4 cylinder gas engine. It has been converted to 12v with a push button starting switch. When I check the battery with a multi meter it shows 12.74 volts and all hot connections are showing good volts. But when I hit the switch to start I get a spark at the negative battery terminal and no start. However when I jump the tractor it starts fine and runs good. Battery is new and there are no other electrical connections other than the alternator, starter, and starter selanoid. At a loss on what the issue is.

John T · Aug 2, 2023

Mornin Dean, good question: But when I hit the switch to start I get a spark at
the negative battery terminal and no start.

FIRST thing I would try is to remove the battery cables terminal, thoroughly inspect
clean bright n shiny the battery post and terminal, re attach nice n tight....I
suspect a bad connection at the cable terminal to post or inside the terminal. NOTE
sometimes a battery cable termination may look fine on the outside but under where
you cant see theres a bad/resistive/arcing connection ESPECIALLY some of the cheap
big box store cables.

Im going with a bad connection or bad cable end FOR NOW AT LEAST unless I have more
information, see if others agree ???

NOTE I take it the spark is at the battery post right??? Where you see the spark is
where Id look for a bad cable or connection

John T

DanielW · Aug 2, 2023

I second what John says - bad cable end/battery connection. It's good enough to send enough low current through to get good readings at all your hot
points with a multimeter and good enough to provide the low current necessary to keep it running once it's started, but not good enough to transmit
the high amps required to crank. Does it have of those bolt-on, universal cable ends on there? They're bad for corroding where they clamp onto the
wire over time.

Stephen Newell · Aug 2, 2023

It wouldn't be arcing if the battery cable was making a good connection.

Dean Plute · Aug 3, 2023

(quoted from post at 10:43:53 08/02/23) It wouldn't be arcing if the battery cable was making a good connection.

Thanks to all for the replies. Yes the end at the negative cable is one of the bolt on to the wire type. I will replace it and the cable also, have not done a continuity check on the wire, but will just replace it this weekend.

Loosehandle · Aug 7, 2023

I think they have started making the
battery posts from something that gets a
black nonconductive coating on it only a
few days.

Dean Plute · Aug 9, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:53:25 08/03/23)

(quoted from post at 10:43:53 08/02/23) It wouldn't be arcing if the battery cable was making a good connection.

Click to expand...

Thanks to all for the replies. Yes the end at the negative cable is one of the bolt on to the wire type. I will replace it and the cable also, have not done a continuity check on the wire, but will just replace it this weekend.

Changed the negative cable and connector, tractor fired right up. Thanks to everyone for all the help.

Battery spark

Dean Plute

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John T

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DanielW

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Stephen Newell

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Dean Plute

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Loosehandle

Well-known Member

Dean Plute

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