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Technical Engine cutting in & out then no starter electric

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by TudorTony, Oct 5, 2015.

  1. TudorTony
    Joined: Jun 2, 2013
    Posts: 231

    TudorTony
    Member
    from NJ

    '35 ford with performance 8BA Flatty old school street rodded( built 2013 ). It was running fine all season this and last year. Took it out for a ride after sitting for a couple of weeks and engine running a little wonky ( like running out of gas or electrical to ignition cutting in and out. Stalled a more than a few time but made it home. Last stall in front of garage then the starter had no power ( foot button starter ). First thought was loose connection but not after checking. hooked up jumper direct from battery and was able to n effect hot wire start and get into garage. Main question ( as I'm thinking bad foot switch ) does the ignition get electric source from that foot switch? trying to figure why engine had the problems at same time foot switch crapped out? Wiring is New stock after market harness ( 2013 ). Cant find harness diagram.
     
  2. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    Basic troubleshooting, start with the basics and work your way to the more complex. Is the problem electrical or fuel? Failure to start indicates electrical. First thing to do is ensure the battery is charged and the charging system is working, the cables to the battery terminals are tight etc. I've seen many, many people go on wild goose chases trying to figure out some weird problem, when all the time the problem was so simple they completely skipped over it.
     
    Hudson52sam likes this.
  3. The power to your ignition switch should come off of one terminal on the footswitch. It first goes through the amp gauge (if equipped) You jumped the solenoid to get it in the garage.....now work backwards from there to find the failed component. 2X^
     
  4. Always check ground wires. Seems like that's where corrosion is the sneakiest. Once you run a duplicate ground wire and the problem persists, then you get to spend lots of time running down one connection after another on the power side of the equation.
     

  5. sport fury
    Joined: Jul 25, 2009
    Posts: 593

    sport fury
    Member

    this happened to me once and I found a bad connection in the bulkhead connector at the fire wall. it killed power to everything that came from the positive battery terminal at the starter.
     
  6. TudorTony
    Joined: Jun 2, 2013
    Posts: 231

    TudorTony
    Member
    from NJ

    Blues4U, could be two separate issues I guess, ( fuel/ carb and or electric ) but too coincidental happening simultaneously? I will check obvious potential at fuel supply suspect points but main focus will be electrical as that was the feel the engine was telling, almost felt like when you used to get your car to backfire to scare someone by turning your ignition on and of while running rolling to get a backfire. Not sure if anyone does anymore and am probably aging myself but we did it in the late '60's/ '70's,LOL.
     
  7. studebaker46
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 715

    studebaker46
    Member

    you are obviously losing all electrical power start from pos post on starter and check all conn but I bet you have a bad ground somewhere but tell us what you find
     
  8. RidgeRunner
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 906

    RidgeRunner
    Member
    from Western MA

    +1 on grounding issues being most likely but don't overlook the ignition switch. Over the years I've known of a couple that caused random running and starting issues, rare but they can go bad internally intermittently before a total failure.

    Ed
     
  9. jazz1
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,534

    jazz1
    Member

    After market female plug to distributor. Pinch the female plug connections. They may have lost their "memory" and are intermittently losing contact. Had same experience. May not be your issue but worth a look. Connection seems to be a weak link.
     
  10. Ground or a very loose connection on the + side somewhere. I would bypass the foot switch and see what happens for a starter (groan...).
     

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