C1 1960 Electrical Problem

[John Olcott]

I drove my 1960 yesterday for about 30 miles (1/2 hour). Car started and ran fine. Whene I got home I shut it off and then when restarting it was completely dead. No gauge movement or anything. I let it sit for a while and then got some gauge movement when I turned the ignition to re start but the engine did not turn over. Let it sit a while longer, engine started and ran for about 5 seconds and then went dead. Again no guage movement or anything when I turned the igntion. 1/2 hour later it started right up and ran fine. I have had this problem occaionally but never to this extent. Has anyone else experienced this or can someone give me an idea where I should start troubleshooting? Thanks.

[Kevin M.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

New or old coil? Coil can cause this type of failure. Just a guess.

Kevin

[Albert P.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

How old is your battery? That would be the first thing to check; better if you can load test it; check terminals, make sure clean.

[Mike B.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

I agree with the idea to first check the battery. When on its last legs the heat of the engine compartment could make it open circuit. I have seen one swell from heat and fail catastrophically.

But you also might want to check the 12 ga. black lead on the starter lug. That backfeeds all power to the ignition switch and most of the car (via the ammeter gauge). It that is lose or corroded, or if the lug is internally broken it could cause the symptoms you are describing. For that matter, check and clean all of the connections on the starter. But don't forget to first disconnect the negative battery cable or sparks could fly!

[John Olcott]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

Kevin:

I have had the car for 7 years and have not ever done anything with the coil. I'll see if I can find out how old it may be. Thanks.

[John Olcott]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

Garth:

It is at least 7 years old. The last two years I have had to put the battery charger on it after winter storage. Thanks.

[John Olcott]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

Thanks Mike.

[Les Jacobs]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

John You mention no gauge response, and then a subsequent start. The coil may prevent it from running, but a bad coil won't prevent it from cranking over. If it doesn't crank, its likely either the battery cables or the wiring to/from the ignition switch. If it eventually starts, its probably not the battery. But, to check next time you get a "no crank" situation, turn the headlights on. If they work, that implies that the battery/cable connections are likely ok. Which would leave the ignition switch wiring/connections as the likely cause. Les

[Albert P.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

I wouldn't waste any time before replacing the battery; 7 years is way past the life of any battery that I know of.

[Christopher R.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

Agree. It's the battery. This is an easy one. Batteries don't last 7 years. It needs replacing even if it wasn't causing the problem.

[Art B.]

Re: C1 1960 Electrical Problem

I agree that the battery is probably the culprit. But when I first bought my '61 I had problems such as you described. I found out that the wiring to the ignition switch was old, brittle and the connections were not good. I did some rewiring and solved the problem.