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#1586331 08/31/2025 9:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 21
T
'Bolter
'Bolter
T Offline
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 21
‘54 3100 235 6v foot starter.

Stated just fine this morning. Went back out later washed the bugs off the windshield and would not start. No power anywhere.

Is there a fuse I’m missing somewhere. Battery 6 1/2 volts but lost everything. No lights, horn, wipers. Nothing!

Tom '54 #1586335 08/31/2025 9:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,450
B
'Bolter
'Bolter
B Offline
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,450
Put the windshield bugs back and see if that fixes it.

If not, start by making sure both ends of both battery cables are clean and tight.

If the wiring is more or less stock there is no fuse that would cause everything to stop working.


'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Tom '54 #1586336 08/31/2025 9:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 338
1
'Bolter
'Bolter
1 Offline
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 338
Check for corrosion at all battery connections. Loose bolts at battery or ground or starter solenoid.

Tom '54 #1586340 08/31/2025 10:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,787
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,787
Dirty battery post connections are the most likely cause. Clean both the terminals and the posts with a wire brush. This tool or something like it needs to be part of every stovebolter's tool box- - - -use it frequently!

www.ebay.com/itm/193269187355?

Jerry


"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!
Tom '54 #1586357 09/01/2025 2:17 AM
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 251
T
'Bolter
'Bolter
T Online: Content
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 251
You know , a few months ago I was having similar problems on our 1948 ½ ton and we suddenly noticed smoke from the ground wire that goes from the battery to chassis ground. That ground only God knows how old that braided wire was. We changed the battery ground wire and the issue went away.
Sometimes ground wires may appear to good but they aren’t

Tom '54 #1586376 09/01/2025 1:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,961
G
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,961
you can NEVER have too many frame to ground ran wires. that braided wire sometimes is not enough.


~ BD.
"You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker
1958 Apache Stepside
1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
Tom '54 #1586382 09/01/2025 2:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,787
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,787
Leave those braided antiques on if you wish for"original" appearance, but also run a HEAVY ground cable from the battery to the block or bell housing. I use #0 welding cable on everything, especially 6V systems.


"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!
Tom '54 #1586396 09/01/2025 3:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 21
T
'Bolter
'Bolter
T Offline
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 21
Sure enough. Cleaned the ground to frame connection and away she goes.

I do use 1/0 marine wire for cables.


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

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