Car Will Not Start - 1949 Buick Roadmaster Sedanette

[Greg Knight]

1949 Roadmaster Sedanette

 

Help! My car will not start. I have checked over the usual suspects and the only thing that I have noticed odd is that the spark is very weak.

 

it has the original 6 volt set up, and a new battery, but, at the coil I have checked and I am only getting 2-3 volts. 
 

The set up is original with the starter on the gas pedal.

 

Anyone any ideas?

[alsancle]

I think you diagnosed your own problem.  Bad coil.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Have you checked the VOLTAGE on that new battery? 

 

  Ben

[61polara]

Do you have spark at the points.  If not, they may be corroded.  Clean them with some fine sandpaper.

[avgwarhawk]

6 volt cars like every wire connection clean as can be. Inspect all. 

[Akstraw]

2 hours ago, avgwarhawk said:

6 volt cars like every wire connection clean as can be. Inspect all. 

I agree.  Start with the simple things; clean battery terminals and cable connections, good grounds.

[plymouthcranbrook]

And with six volt systems make sure you have heavy enough wire.  At least 1 gauge and better 00.  And extra grounds don’t hurt either. Not just battery to engine but engine to frame and/or body will make a big difference.

[alsancle]

4 hours ago, plymouthcranbrook said:

And with six volt systems make sure you have heavy enough wire.  At least 1 gauge and better 00.  And extra grounds don’t hurt either. Not just battery to engine but engine to frame and/or body will make a big difference.

 

I think people using 12Volt battery cables on 6 volt cars is the number one reason starters turn slow.   The weak spark still makes me think coil.

[Dave39MD]

or condenser

[plymouthcranbrook]

2 hours ago, alsancle said:

 

I think people using 12Volt battery cables on 6 volt cars is the number one reason starters turn slow.   The weak spark still makes me think coil.

I meant it more as general advice. Your specific advice sounds more likely correct

[DonMicheletti]

First question.

 

Is this a new problem. If so, when did it start?

 

We need history

[Mark Shaw]

And how old is the gas in the tank?  Non-ethanol?