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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Quick Startin Question

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Quick Startin Question -- page: 1 2     Dream38v8 07-01-2017 @ 4:32 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 154 Joined: May 2016 I had my '38 Fordor on a battery trickle charger all winter. It started and has run great the last two month. I drove it last about two weeks ago. Again it has been on a trickle charger. The battery is 10-11 months old. When I went to start it yesterday. Nothing just the started soleniod click! The starter soleniod is also new and working. Any ideas? Battery? Starter? Short? Ray carcrazy 07-01-2017 @ 2:49 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1587 Joined: Oct 2009 The first thing to do is check all of the wiring connections in the starting circuit. Make sure each of the battery terminal connections are clean and tight, do the same for the battery to starter wire at the starter motor, make sure the electrical continuity between the starter motor housing and the battery ground is good. fordv8j 07-01-2017 @ 6:09 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 176 Joined: Jan 2015 I had a schumaker battery tender on my 38 conv, it didn't shut off, boiled my ford script battery dry, added new acid and charged, never would start the car,,,,hope that is not your case Dream38v8 07-02-2017 @ 12:42 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 154 Joined: May 2016 Thanks Carcrazy. I will be having the battery tested tomorrow while I check all the connections as you mentioned. The terminal are all clean with the connections tight. Ray TomO 07-03-2017 @ 10:09 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 Sometimes high humidity can cause corrosion between the battery pot and cable. Check the voltage at the battery posts. It should be about 6.5V and should not drop below 5.5V when the starter is engaged. Also try to turn your engine over by the crank nut. Your starter could have the engine locked. If this is the case, put the car in 3rd gear and try to push it backwards. When the starter releases, you will hear a bang. If this fixes it, come back for advice to prevent it from happening again. Tom supereal 07-03-2017 @ 12:34 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 I use the "Battery Tender" charger on my '47 and my tractor. They are switchable between 6 and 12 volts, and show when they are charging, or if you have incorrectly connected it. It indicates a full charge, and goes automatically to trickle charge. To check for a "parasitic" load, remove one cable from the battery and put a voltmeter between the battery post and the cable.. Any reading shows a drain on the battery. The master switch on my car disconnects the battery from the car. At my advanced age it is possible to leave something on accidentally. You only have to "cook" one coil to see the right charger is cheap insurance! The Battery Tender is widely available for about $40. I got mine at Costco. Dream38v8 07-05-2017 @ 11:22 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 154 Joined: May 2016 Well it turns out the problem was the battery. I also will checkout the charger. I am contemplating getting a Optima battery. Any positive comments. Ray Robert/Texas 07-05-2017 @ 12:45 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 106 Joined: Dec 2009 I have 6-volt Optima batteries in 2 Model A's 1 Model T and a 12-volt Optima in my '34 roadster. the 6-volt batteries seem to crank the engines a little faster and they are lighter than the normal group 1 batteries. Best of all they seem too last much longer and hold charges longer without using trickle chargers. The problem is that they are really ugly and a bit expensive. TomO 07-06-2017 @ 6:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 I have been getting about 8 years from the Optima in my 1940. The one in my Lincoln died after 5 years, but I had a short that was draining the battery and finally killed it. A trickle charger can damage a battery by overcharging it. If you would like to use one over the winter put it on a 7 day timer and allow it to charge for 2 hours a week. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 7-6-17 @ 6:31 AM cliftford 07-06-2017 @ 7:00 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 845 Joined: Jan 2014 Robert/Texas is exactly right. Optimas are far and away better than anything else available. And as he says, you shouldn't need a charger/maintainer. I leave mine in my cars through the winter and they always stay charged.

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