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Mod | | Forums66 Topics126,776 Posts1,039,277 Members48,100 | Most Online2,175 Jul 21st, 2025 | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Today was running my 52 Chevy truck with a 235 Truck has been converted to 12volt when I bought it. I had the truck rewired a couple of years ago and put an alternator So it was running for about 1/2 hour today I put a Electric fan on to keep it from overheating while idling I was messing with the carburetors . So after I shut it off and tryed to restart it got nothing not even a click What should I look for ? I do know I have other electric issues like dim lights and rapid blinking blinkers also dim . This truck is really beating me down with so many issues supposed to get better with upgrades and repairs I seem to keep getting worse. Thoughts and ideas needed. Thanks
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| | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | How long did it sit before you tried a restart? Did you check to see if the battery was dead? Is the fan set not to run forever if the ignition is off?
That would be a start.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Truck wouldn’t start within a minute or so I shut if off than tried to restart and nothing. The electric fan is hooked up to a toggle switch my idea was use it when idling in the driveway working on it so not to overheat.
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | "You've got mail"!  Jerry
Last edited by Rusty Rod; 04/04/2021 11:18 PM.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Didn’t get to check ground wires just yet have been trying to get the mechanical stuff fixed first the snow ball effect water pump than fuel pump exhaust pipes redone at the new headers. I do read here a lot just not to much truck time long work weeks and busy non truck weekends Appreciate all reply’s seems a new issue keeps popping up . Deep breath’s I remind myself
Last edited by Rusty Rod; 04/04/2021 11:20 PM.
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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 Sir Searchalot | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 | [quote=bartamos]Do you have headlights? Or fan or anything? Don't panic, it's NOT serious. Check battery for 12+ V. We will take it one step at a time. Answer the questions and stay on the forum. | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Yes I have headlights (dim) has electric fan controlled by a toggle switch,have to get a volt meter to check the battery for 12 volts.
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| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 Sir Searchalot | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 | I wanted you to try various items one at a time to see if you have some juice. You did try the lights, that's good. Wanted you to try the fan and anything else electrical. Sounds like enough juice to at least click. You said no click. Will wait for a voltage check. Touch the battery posts when checking, NOT the cable clamps. Take a reading. Then touch clamps and take another reading. REPORT READINGS. We can not move forward without a full battery. 12.6V is the goal, or near. Don't charge it up until voltage tests are done.
1. Do you have a foot start or an electrical solenoid start? I assume a foot start. 2. Are you experienced with auto electrical at all? 3. Do you have a battery charger? and/or a jump box? 4. Do you have original points distributor? 5. Disconnect the fan from the electrical system for now.
Get a voltmeter/multimeter and an ice pick voltage tester also.
There are several items that could be the culprit, we will move down the list. Your issues will probably all go away at once when we find the trouble. | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Thanks Bartamos I will have to get a voltage meter and get it checked out yes it’s a foot starter. And yes I have it always on a battery tender/charger when it’s not on the truck.
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | When the cause is finally determined you will probably slap your forehead in disbelief. Yup, it will be that simple. Please heed bartamos’ advise. Slow your roll and do one test at a time, then post your results. Yes, it will take longer but it will help us to help you. It will be frustrating if it isn’t already but worth it in the end. If you are going to do the work yourself please get the proper testing tools. I’m sure there are discount tool outlets out your way where a multi-meter and an ice pick tester won’t cost over $20. I’m sure bartamos is waiting with baited breath for the results of your battery test. Good luck.
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) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 Sir Searchalot | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,988 | You kind of thru me off with "not even a click". That phrase is used when a person has an electric solenoid starter where you rotate the key to a start position momentarily and then let go when it starts. Like all your newer vehicles. The "no click" means the solenoid is not even trying to cycle.
In your case there is a foot pedal that operates linkage that slides a gear into the flywheel gear and at the same time pushes a button on top of the starter to make the starter spin. So even if the battery is dead you will have lots of "clicks".
So open the hood and look at all that mechanism. Have someone push on the pedal with the key off so you can see how it all works. Observe if the gear is sliding toward the flywheel and observe of a lever pushes on a big button on top of the starter.
I guess you are saying that your truck battery is always on a trickle charger. Is that right? So I guess it will show 12.6V when you check it. So if it does and the battery is not "breaking down" the instant you push the pedal, and when you observe under the hood, the big button gets fully pushed, then we know it's either that big button switch or the starter or cables or ground.
So now you know what you are looking for. You know you have to familiarize yourself with how it all works so you can catch something that does not look right. Be careful and be sure truck is in neutral with Ebrake on. Even with key off, the motor can start for a split second. Truck would lurch if not in neutral. So we are now trying to find out if battery has 12.6V, if button on starter gets pushed and if starter spins. Let's don't use the words "not even a click". Let's describe what is or is not happening under the hood.
Also be advised that all we have to work with is what we can learn from you. You have been skipping a few questions. I need them all answered or I wouldn't ask. Go back and read the post and be sure you have answered every question. Without these answers you are shutting down your own post.
Take battery OFF charger before measuring. Report both measurements as described. Posts/clamps. Don't do anything or replace anything without telling us. | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 295 | Very very small update I was able to pick up a volt meter and the battery read 13.6 no time this weekend to check charging system to see if it will go above 14
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