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39 6127 NO POWER

Started by lou-q, December 31, 2017, 01:27:42 PM

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lou-q

Last Spring, I reinstalled the batteries in our 39 and it started right up.
A couple of weeks later, I went to use the car and no electric power anywhere.
This car has a series/parallel switch that when you push the starter button, it joins the two batteries and feeds the 12 volt starter.
When you release the button it goes back to 6 volts for the rest of the car (that 12 volt starter normally spins that engine like a new car).
I thought right away that somehow the batteries were discharged but they were not.
I have no power to anything but the batteries are hot.
I changed out the series/parallel switch with no difference.
I tried jumping the headlights and they worked when jumped.
What can interupt the power to all electrical components?
All the connections are clean and tight, and I didn't remove anything from the first time I started it to the next time when it would not.
The car is at our farm in Indiana, and I won't see it till Spring; so I thought to ask the forum to see if anyone has any suggestions.
We have had this car for several years and it has been a great dependable driver.
Any input is quite welcomed.
Happy new year,
Lou in the sunny Florida Keys (75 degrees today}
Lou Quirch    CLC#26694
39-6127 coupe
67 DeVille convertible Venetian Blue
67 DeVille convertible Doeskin SOLD
67 Corvette Marina Blue Roadster
2015 Mustang GT 50th anniversary Black Convert
2020 Shelby GT500 Magnetic Metallic
67 DeVille convertible Donor car for parts
3 F250 Ford P/Us

bcroe

You need to let your instruments lead you to the fault.  A
6V test light with long leads will probably cover this situation. 

You need to know how the wiring is connected, otherwise you
will need to trace it out.  I would connect one lead directly to
the battery grounded lead, turn on the lights for a load, and
see the light come on with the other lead on the battery
hot lead.  Now move that test lead down the wiring path
current must take for the lights.  Probably to a fuse/breaker,
switch, and light feed wires.  I'd use a tail light feed to avoid
the high/low beam switch.  Eventually you will pass the point
where the power is gone, there is the fault. 

If you test to the body and get a light, the battery isn't
properly grounded.  Bruce Roe

lou-q

Lou Quirch    CLC#26694
39-6127 coupe
67 DeVille convertible Venetian Blue
67 DeVille convertible Doeskin SOLD
67 Corvette Marina Blue Roadster
2015 Mustang GT 50th anniversary Black Convert
2020 Shelby GT500 Magnetic Metallic
67 DeVille convertible Donor car for parts
3 F250 Ford P/Us

Paul Phillips

Lou
Answering is complicated by not knowing how the series-parallel switching is wired or if any other mods exist.  If the setup was stock, battery primary goes to the main terminal on the starter relay.  There should be a 10 ga wire from there to the ammeter, then everything else in the car feeds from there (light switch, ignition switch, voltage regulator & body wiring, like the lighter & courtesy lights).

If someone has inserted a breaker or fuse in that circuit, then it could have failed.  Equally likely is the OE wiring has been compromised and become an unintentional fuse. Checking with a voltmeter for primary voltage at both terminals of the ammeter would be a first check. If good there, then check next at the light switch & ignition switch. Given your statement that headlights work when jumped out would suggest the problem is somewhere in the chain described above.

Let us know what you find.

Paul

Paul Phillips CLC#27214
1941 60 Special (6019S)
1949 60 Special (6069X)
1937 Packard Super 8 Convertible Victoria
1910 Oakland Model 24 Runabout

lou-q

Thanks,
I wont be seeing this car until the end of April.
The jumper wire I used to power the headlight was from the battery to the headlight terminals (just to test the headlights).
I will find the wire going to amp meter and go from there..
The series/parallel switch makes it more difficult to test as there are more wires. But the car sure starts nice with that 12 volt starter.
We have had this car for several years without any issues. I remove the batteries in the winter and put them on a battery maintainer; in the Spring I install them and off we go for the Summer.
When we get up there this Spring I'm going to have to spend more time on it.
All the wiring harnesses in this car are new except the license plate light.
Thanks,
Lou Q
Lou Quirch    CLC#26694
39-6127 coupe
67 DeVille convertible Venetian Blue
67 DeVille convertible Doeskin SOLD
67 Corvette Marina Blue Roadster
2015 Mustang GT 50th anniversary Black Convert
2020 Shelby GT500 Magnetic Metallic
67 DeVille convertible Donor car for parts
3 F250 Ford P/Us