MTFCA Forum

Hello all,

I have a ‘24 Coupe that I recently acquired and am trying to get running. It has currently been sitting for the past year or so while I work on other projects. Oil has been changed, plugs checked, and engine turned every few weeks to keep it from seizing.

When I bought it, it had a tired 6V battery in it that when charged would activate the trembler coils briefly as well as activate the horn and lights.

I just bought a new 6V battery for it and hooked it up, turned the key to battery, and nothing.

Cleaned off some corrosion on the cables and tried again, still nothing.

Is there something I’m missing? Do the coils seize or maybe a shirt that occurs over time? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

-Tim

Short*

You stepped on the starter button and nothing happened, or did you expect the engine to turn over when set to BAT like a normal car or are there no coils buzzing when the engine turns over? Lots of information missing to help you very much.

turn key to BAT and turn engine over either with crank or starter and you should expect to hear a coil buzz. The timer has 4 contact areas to energize each of 4 coils, as well as 4 insulated sections. I suspect the engine has simply stopped at an insulated section...

Ah, that could be.... I haven’t worked on the T in a while. But shouldn’t I have power to the ancillary things like lights and horn? I’m getting nothing. Appreciate the help Scott.

Hi Tim,
Welcome to the hobby!

Thankfully there can't be that many things that go wrong as the electrical system is frailly simple (that was pun btw!).
With out "knowing the problem" the best advice I can offer is to start at the battery and follow the wiring to the switch, to the lights etc. in order to pin point where there is the short or faulty component.

With a circuit tester check if the power is getting to each 'next point' in the system. When you find where it stops, that will narrow down the section to look more closely at. (ie., see if power gets to the terminal block, then to the switch assembly - etc)

Have a search for wiring diagrams in the forum here - some good simple ones have been posted. These will guide you on your way. The following link is 'outside' but has a range of schematics as well:
https://nebula.wsimg.com/bfee1cac0d0763 ... oworigin=1
All the best.

If you not hearing a coil buzz when you turn the key to battery on the switch it will not start.
Will the lights burn? If not check the battery cables and especially the ground cable. It’s something fairly simple as there’s not that many electrical circuits in a T.

You mentioned the old battery did slightly work and the coils slightly buzzed. Then you installed the new battery and there was nothing. Go back and make sure your new battery is good. Disconnect the battery cables and check it. Whatever happened it was when you removed the old battery and installed the new one. From what you mentioned in your first post it would be your new battery to check first. Good luck!

I would start (as John says), at the battery.
Make sure it's charged, check the ground wire at the frame...clean and tight. Battery cable ends ?
Then check for power at the switch and junction block.
Good luck and welcome from Ohio !

Thanks all!

I’ll start at the battery and see where to go from there. Yes the battery is brand new and I tested it already and it’s good. When I initially tried with the old battery I would get power to the horn and lights etc and the coils would buzz. I’ll try retracing the power and start with the ground. I’ll keep everyone updated, thanks!