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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 12 | 1955 1st series, dead battery. Stupid me, hooked up the charger with the ignition on. Now, truck won't start. Burned Points, Condensor, Rotor???? Any ideas?
Need your help Stovebolters, got to get it running to get it into Winter Storage. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,383 | Points and rotor are easy to check. Pull the cap and look.
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Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 | Rotor should be fine. It's on the high voltage circuit and unless it was turning, the coil won't fire.
Points or condenser, or maybe coil. Check how hot the coil got, although it should be OK.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,100 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,100 | I’ve burnt the points, condenser and coil twice by just leaving the ignition switch on. Buy all three and replace the points a condenser first and if that doesn’t work, replace the coil. Worst case scenario you have a spare which is good to have.
I plan on installing Tom Langdon’s Mini HEI distributor or something similar. If you leave the ignition switch on, it will not harm anything.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | If the points were closed they got fried.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
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| | | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 1,003 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 1,003 | Hi 55 first,
i second that recommendation, your points or the coil went bad
maybe... the actual ignition switch got tired and gave up, not much else in that path
coils can ohm out good but still not work, the insulation goes bad inside and the spark shorts out internally leaving nothing for the spark plugs
The OEM ignition system was designed to survive forgetting the key on, it is normal to anticipate folks will forget the key and that shouldn't break your vehicle.
However the realities of the world and the laws of physics means it can lead to permanent damage as some folks can testify first hand.
Clean points make sufficient contact that there is nearly 0 voltage drop at the points, little to no voltage drop means little to no heat dissipation.
The condenser should never fail from leaving the key on if it goes bad it was already bad and you just didn't know it yet.
The OEM coil and resistor (internal or external) limits the current to a survivable amount, about 3-4 amps and the battery just drains.
The coil is large enough it can dissipate on the order of 30-40 watts all night long as the battery drains, it would be hot to touch but not hot like it gets on a summer drive.
I have left the key on in my trucks and i also recall my mom leaving the key on in the 57 chevy car and we have yet to get burned points, so far they have survived.
but we know from experience it can all go south as in your case
best of luck and let us know what you find
-s | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 240 | Charge the battery, turn the key on and check for voltage at the + side of the coil. If you have voltage there that eliminates
the the key switch being fried. Pop the cap and use a flat tip screwdriver to seperate the points,gently move the tip of the screwdriver to the base of the points and check for spark
if you have a spark the points are bad. Your are basically shorting the points out.
You Learn more Listening than Talking
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,451 | 55 first...Have had good service from HEI ignition ...I never buy these always modify one from some GM six. If you have access to a lathe its fairly simpleit then wont be hurt if the key is left on. | | |
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