1951 Chevy Deluxe starting problems

[Guest 51ChevyDeluxe]

Hello,

I recently started having issues with my 51 starting, it is a 6 volt system and I placed it on a starter/charger and the unit says that the battery is good but the vehicle will not even crank over.

When I turn the ignition to "on",the fuel gauge goes up to full and then when I press the starter button nothing happens and the fuel gauge drops to empty again. I am hoping that it is just the battery but I have a feeling it may be something more. Any advice you can lend me would be greatly appreciated.

[Joseph P. Indusi]

If you have a battery hydrometer take a reading of the specific gravity in each cell after you have charged the battery for several hours. Each cell should read 1.265 and above. If one is significantly below this value or very different from the others, you have a bad cell and probably need to replace the battery. If the battery is 5 years old or more it is nearing the end of it's life. You mention that the car is giving trouble recently so I assume that it started very well in the recent past so most likely you have the correct gauge of battery cables (1 gauge or greater; "0" gauge is better).

If you do not have a battery hydrometer, but have an accurate digital voltmeter, charge the battery for several hours. Then turn on the headlights for 10 seconds and turn them off. Now measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals. You should get a reading of about 6.22 volts or higher. If you can measure the voltage of each cell, then these shoudl each measure 2.1 volts or so. Again if one cell is below the other two, you most likely have a bad cell.

If these all check OK, then you have a problem with the starting circuit. I have to go now, but others will check in to offer additional advice.

Joe, BCA 33493

[Bleach]

Check to see if your battery cables are OK by checking if there is any voltage drop between the battery and the end of the cable or if there is any resistance in the cables themselves. I've seen cables that looked good on the outside that were corroded badly on the inside.

[Guest 51ChevyDeluxe]

If you have a battery hydrometer take a reading of the specific gravity in each cell after you have charged the battery for several hours. Each cell should read 1.265 and above. If one is significantly below this value or very different from the others, you have a bad cell and probably need to replace the battery. If the battery is 5 years old or more it is nearing the end of it's life. You mention that the car is giving trouble recently so I assume that it started very well in the recent past so most likely you have the correct gauge of battery cables (1 gauge or greater; "0" gauge is better).

If you do not have a battery hydrometer, but have an accurate digital voltmeter, charge the battery for several hours. Then turn on the headlights for 10 seconds and turn them off. Now measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals. You should get a reading of about 6.22 volts or higher. If you can measure the voltage of each cell, then these shoudl each measure 2.1 volts or so. Again if one cell is below the other two, you most likely have a bad cell.

If these all check OK, then you have a problem with the starting circuit. I have to go now, but others will check in to offer additional advice.

Joe, BCA 33493

Thanks Joe,

I forgot to mention that the battery is brand new and I wasn't having any issues until I went to start it yesterday, now nothing works, the headlights won't come on and once in awhile if I push the starter button I will hear a click from the stater and that's it. I took the button out toady and by passed it and it did the same thing, tomorrow I am going to remove the starter and bench test it. Thanks again for your advice. Dave

[Guest 51ChevyDeluxe]

Check to see if your battery cables are OK by checking if there is any voltage drop between the battery and the end of the cable or if there is any resistance in the cables themselves. I've seen cables that looked good on the outside that were corroded badly on the inside.

I will try that, thanks for the info, Dave

[hudson1948]

I will try that, thanks for the info, Dave

Sounds to me like your battery terminals or cables need to be cleaned. Try wiggling the cables while you have some one work the starter.

[Joseph P. Indusi]

OK, I would still charge up a new battery and then try to start the car. If all you get is a click at the solenoid then begin checking all the battry cable connections as well as the cables themselves. The fact that the headlights do not come on is aclue that ther is a bad connection somewhere and the starter may be Ok.

Joe.

[rons49]

Interesting... I would move the cables around and make sure they are clean and tight( snug). If you get a same result, swap the battery. I have a feeling that a cell bridge failed and although you will read 6v, there is not enough potential current to crank the engine or light the headlamps. The fuel gauge uses very little current and one cell would power that up. The place that you purchased the battery can preform a load test. I'm curious... what brand battery?