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| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 | Hello!
About 3 weeks ago, I pulled my '53 Chevy 3100 into the garage. I had to jump it to get it started, but it ran fine once it was going, and started up well afterward. Today, I tried to start it again. Nothing...battery was dead as a doornail. I have a battery charger that gives 40 amps at 6V for a start, so I decided to try that. I got nothing but a very loud electrical buzz when I tried to start the truck. NO movement out of the starter at all. I checked the engine, and it spins freely, so there's no trouble there.
Anyone have any idea what might be wrong? Bad starter? At the moment, the truck has the original 6V system, which will soon be changed to 12V. I just don't know if anyone has ever seen anything like this before.
Thanks...
Chris | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | Leave the charger on it for a while then try it. Sounds like you have a parasitic load somewhere. FWIW there's nothing wrong with a properly maintained 6v system IMHO. Get a full charge on the battery, pull one of the cables and check for current flow between the cable you pulled and the battery with everything turned off. If you find current flow you get to play detective.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 | How old is the battery. Sometimes they get so bad they won't take a charge ? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 | When I put the charger on the battery, it didn't seem to want to take a charge. I have no idea how old the battery is.
It's almost an academic question at this point. Once I'm done doing some brake work on my F*ord Galaxie, I'm going to focus on the 3100, the first task being to convert it to 12V. I want to run a radio, so 12V is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks...
Chris | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | You can buy a voltage booster that will give you 12v to an accessory while keeping the 6v system. They are usually cheaper than a conversion. They don't work on a high watt stereo though so if you want people to hear you blocks away they won't work.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,868 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,868 | Since you've already decided on a course of action, it would be pointless to lay out the steps involved in diagnosing the problem with your battery and/or starting system. Good luck!
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!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 229 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 229 | sometimes when trying to charge a finicky battery it helps to turn on the headlights for a while to get the current flowing again. then once it starts to charge turn them off again.
MO's 1951 chevy 3100 resto mod project
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