Hello, I've just inherited my fathers 59 after a nasty legal battle. Anyway, she would not give me the keys. I put a new ignition switch in her and a new battery. Tried to crank her over, after turning it over by hand, because she sat for 10 years. Nothing at all, not even a click. The gen light is on, but goes off when I turn the key. Turn signals and lights work. What could be my problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Test the resistor block on the inside firewall, drivers side...
Might also try to bypass the starter solenoid on the passenger side inner fender apron too. Just to see if this is your culprit.
Good luck & keep us posted,
Jon in TX.sigpic
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The WORLD'S most wanted car....
VTCI Member#6287. -
You have a loose battery connection.
The moment you said the GEN light went off, told me. You can verify by using one jumper cable. Put it on POS and touch the starter side of the solenoid. Make sure your gear is in PARK when you try because the starter should take off.
Sorry to hear you had such a battle. At least you got your Squarebird. I hope you enjoy many years of cruisin with her. ASAP, get a Shop Manual. All the vendors sell them.
If your jumper cable works on the starter, look for a mis-wired key switch. The electrical diagram is in our Technical Resource Library. - DaveMember, Sons of the American Revolution
CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
From: Royal Oak, MichiganComment
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connections.
You have a loose battery connection.
The moment you said the GEN light went off, told me. You can verify by using one jumper cable. Put it on POS and touch the starter side of the solenoid. Make sure your gear is in PARK when you try because the starter should take off.
Sorry to hear you had such a battle. At least you got your Squarebird. I hope you enjoy many years of cruisin with her. ASAP, get a Shop Manual. All the vendors sell them.
If your jumper cable works on the starter, look for a mis-wired key switch. The electrical diagram is in our Technical Resource Library. - DaveComment
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Selinoid..I hope
Well, I crossed the selinoid, and she turned over! Amen! lol I thought I would atleast hear a click from it, but I guess not. I'm just hoping that **** mouse didnt chew any wiring!Comment
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Whats next?
I suppose after the selinoid , its a cap, button, and points. I primed her, and cranked....not even trying to fire. Would you say to start with the cap, and points? And how would I check the regulator box?Comment
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Are you starting it with the key or just jumping the solenoid. Jumping the solenoid won't give a spark. You have to use the ignition switch or at least have it in the on position.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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Jon said to check the resistor. I'm with him. You can also check for voltage at the coil: With the key turned to 'IGN', check the coil's top stud that is marked +. You should find 12-volts to ground there. Let us know what you get.
When you turn the key to 'Start' and the shifter is in Park or Neutral, the solenoid should energize. Keep the key in START while you run the gear shifter up and down. See if you get any starter action. If not, we will troubleshoot from here.Member, Sons of the American Revolution
CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
From: Royal Oak, MichiganComment
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Thanks!!!
You guys are great on here! I did have the key "on" when crossing the selinoid. I also moved the gear shifter around trying to start it. I'll be checking the coil, like Simplyconnected's suggestion! Thanks!!Comment
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Vic, please note our members' starting dates. Eric, John, and many others have been freely offering their skills and experiences far longer than I have. These guys made Squarebirds.org the finest and most friendly board in the world. Honestly, I have learned a lot from them, right here.
The electrical diagram shows OEM wiring, where a yellow wire comes from the Starter Relay and it ends at the Headlight Switch. This wire is hot all the time and NOT fused. Then a small yellow jumper feeds the Key Switch at the 'Battery' terminal. Verify this, so we're on the same page. All Squarebirds are wired this way.
* From the Key Switch Ignition terminal, a Red-Green wire goes through the 'Resistor' and it ends at the Coil (+) terminal. This sets-up the distributor to create a spark.
* From the Key Switch Start terminal (in the center), a Red-Blue wire goes through the Neutral Switch and energizes the Start Relay (solenoid). This makes the Starter Motor run.
Notes:
When the key is turned to 'Start', the Batt, Ign and Start terminals are internally connected.
In these (*) instances, the Starter Motor, Start Solenoid and the ignition Coil cases must have solid grounds.
I hope this helps. - DaveMember, Sons of the American Revolution
CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
From: Royal Oak, MichiganComment
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Appreciated input!!
I appreciate everyones input! Thanks for the ignition explanation!!! This will help alot durring diagnosis!!! I'll be sure to keep you all posted. I have some work to get done this week, and will attack the bird after that! again thank you all!!!!!Comment
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Take the coil wire off the distributor and lay it on the intake manifold close to some metal. Start the motor and see if you can see a spark jump. This will tell you if the coil is putting out a spark.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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