MTFCA Forum

We have been remodeling so to make some much needed space I took the TT to my sons place about 45 miles away. That was about 8 months ago. About 3 mons ago I was there and decided to start it and run it a little. Note that it does not have a starter, but does have a 12V battery and alternator.

So, when I went to start it, the battery was stone dead. No problem. Switch on mag and advance spark a little. Well, no matter what I did I couldn't get it to even pop. I even hooked up a 12V hot shot to buzz the coils. They buzzed fine, but it would not fire.

I was there again today figuring I'd check for spark, fuel, etc. Before beginning diagnostics I gave it a couple of pulls on mag. The damn old thing fired right up. I think it's just pissed at me for taking it away from home

They have an attitude at times!

Hank

Another day in the life of a Model T. Wonderful at times and other times a lot of head scratching plus not so nice words are uttered a bunch of times!!

I was just wondering about the battery alternator circuit. I am playing with a similar circuit on a Studebaker where as I want to charge a 12 volt battery with an alternator/regulator without all the regular circuity. As I understand that an alternator requires some power to operate, it therefore requires a 12 volt supply. In a conventionally wired system the supply is controlled through the ignition switch, with the key off the system is open. If the system is so wired with no interruption means, the battery will have a constant flow/drain back in to the alternator, I am wondering if this is why your 12 volt battery was stone dead. Just a thought.

that would be my guess, exactly. It is certainly a known issue when a diode fails...the alternator may even still charge the battery while in operation (though it won't charge a totally dead battery, as it needs SOME current to work in the first place).

I am leaning toward it just being pissed with you.

Not taking the car out for ice cream or hot chocolate on regular intervals as Burger states causes attitude.

I saw a cardboard sign inside a T that was part of a small local gathering that read:

1915 Model T Ford
Loved By/Hated By
(Owner's name)

I thought that about summed it up.

Gene

Well, all's well that ends well. I took my two little grandsons, ages 3 and 6, for a ride. The truck has a plunger ooga horn. The 6 year old won't leave it alone. He pushes the plunger down and laughs every time.

What I think happened with it is:
1. The battery is old and just died a natural death. It's only the second one since I got the truck running 15 or more years ago.
2. I flooded it the time it wouldn't start and didn't have the good sense to realize it and just wait a while.

I always say the car must have passed a kidney stone. I was driving my 64 Imperial going around a corner. As normal I was using one finger and spinning the eight foot steering wheel like I was in Vegas. All of a sudden the power steering cut out and I almost broke my finger. I made the turn into the parking lot, went in to do my business, and when I came out it was woking again. That was about 5 years ago. Hasn't happened since. So...... Must have passed a kidney stone.

Mopar...how ironic to read your post about your car passing a kidney stone.
I've got a kidney stone that won't move "further down" (so far anyway), so
come next Friday it gets blasted.

I normally use a starter to start my T's but every so often someone will ask me to demonstrate crank starting! Usually, if I am home and crank start, it starts right up and on a week long tour a couple years ago, the generator went out the first day so I crank started it every day and ran on mag. No problems there. However, when someone is watching me do a demonstration of crank starting, I either get a "free start" or it won't start! That's life with Model T's. They seem to have a mind of their own!
Norm

Hope you feel better Tim. Yes MOPAR. Or you could say old car. They all have their personalities. My Wife's 69 Super Bee always draws a big crowd when she starts it. We hold our fingers crossed when we turn the key. Ha!!

I let my coupe sit a couple of months without starting it. One day when I wanted to take it for a drive the engine would not even try to start. Adding gas to the tank helped.



Stephen

I know your pain, Tim. I am on #5 kidney stone. Stuck in the kidney. As long as it doesn't move, leave it there. Plan on taking the T out tomorrow. Suppose to get up to 52. Where should I go, or just drive down the road to see where I end up? I had it out in the snow 3 weeks ago. She should start!!!

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:06 pm

I normally use a starter to start my T's but every so often someone will ask me to demonstrate crank starting! Usually, if I am home and crank start, it starts right up and on a week long tour a couple years ago, the generator went out the first day so I crank started it every day and ran on mag. No problems there. However, when someone is watching me do a demonstration of crank starting, I either get a "free start" or it won't start! That's life with Model T's. They seem to have a mind of their own!
Norm

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Federal Law states that what happens without effort when no one is around will
be impossible, embarrassing, or both, when an audience is present. Look it up.