I bought a 1953 Ford Jubilee tractor a couple of weeks ago. It is in fair to good condition, ran well, everything worked. My buddy was coming over to look at it, so I washed it...power washer on light to medium spray. When I finished, I started it up and let it run on high idle (1000 rpm) for approximately 10 minutes to heat it up and dry it off a little. I drove it 300 feet to park it next to the garage. It quit just before parking. Tried to restart, just a very fast clicking noise from the voltage regulator. Tried a few more times, then a slight click from the starter solenoid. Pulled the battery (6V) and charged it overnight. Battery charge up well, reinstalled the battery, and nothing. (positive ground) No crank, no noises, no lights. I check the wiring diagram. Not much in the electrical system. I'm not good with a test light and electrical diagnosis. Hoping for a "Oh that's the..." answer. Any ideas? Thanks!
- Thread starter Shelby TZ
- Start date
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Likely a bad connection.
Could be a battery cable, ground connection, or where the battery cable attaches to the starter switch. That is also where the main power for the ignition and all accessories connects.
A test light is really a help, don't be intimidated by it. Once you use one it will be self explanatory. Sure beats guessing!
Could be a battery cable, ground connection, or where the battery cable attaches to the starter switch. That is also where the main power for the ignition and all accessories connects.
A test light is really a help, don't be intimidated by it. Once you use one it will be self explanatory. Sure beats guessing!
Janicholson
Well-known Member
How to do test light diagnosis. (a 12v light works fine on 6v, just 50% as bright, no problem)
Touch the clamp lead to the center of the positive battery post, then touch the center of the negative post with the probe. If it lights, good. Next
clamp the ground lead to the ground battery attachment at that battery terminal (clamp to the clamp) then test the center of the negative terminal. If
light, good. Now leave the clamp where it is, and follow connections. First try the battery terminal (not the post) If light go on. Next the starter
solenoid. connection, then the stud it is connected to. then the key switch. Eventually you will find thet the electricity stops. That is where the
fault is located. Replacing wires, cleaning terminals. Or replace components that are failed. Jim
NAPA
Touch the clamp lead to the center of the positive battery post, then touch the center of the negative post with the probe. If it lights, good. Next
clamp the ground lead to the ground battery attachment at that battery terminal (clamp to the clamp) then test the center of the negative terminal. If
light, good. Now leave the clamp where it is, and follow connections. First try the battery terminal (not the post) If light go on. Next the starter
solenoid. connection, then the stud it is connected to. then the key switch. Eventually you will find thet the electricity stops. That is where the
fault is located. Replacing wires, cleaning terminals. Or replace components that are failed. Jim
NAPA
showcrop
Well-known Member
I agree with Steve, you have a bad connection. I also agree with Janicholson about tracking it down except that you need to go further. High load connections such as the battery cables can carry small amounts of current, so that a test lamp or headlights will light, yet will arc instead of passing current when the draw is high such as when the starter is engaged. To check for this common condition you will need a meter. You apply it the same as with the test light, but check the amount of voltage at each step, and check with the starter not engaged and then engaged. When the arc takes place some carbon, which is an excellent insulator, will get deposited between the cable and the post. The carbon will look like clean metal, thus the rule is the connection surfaces have to be not just clean but clean and shiny.
Janicholson
Well-known Member
I agree, my computer was going to do a forced update reboot, and that cut me off. Jim
Janicholson
Well-known Member
Simple rules. Jim
DMartin9N-2N
Member
Good afternoon: (I am just looking, I don't have a dog in this race). I do want to say, the simple stuff will get you! I cleaned and reinstalled the same battery cable clamp two Fridays in a row. Poor job of cleaning (my fault), I was losing almost the whole battery voltage at that connection. Keep logic in mind, the things you thought you fixed may still be the problem! Just my two cents worth as a bystander....
Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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