Good afternoon all. I have a 1949 Ford 8n 6v. It is turning over slowly, when i test the starter, i have 6.35v on the battery side, and when i activate the starter i only get 4.3v on the starter side. Does anyone have any ideas on this? Thanks for your help.
Starter not getting full voltage
- Thread starter Liltote
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flyerdan
Veteran Member
It could be a bad cell in the battery, check the voltage at the battery terminals when engaging the starter. If it drops, bad cell. If it stays at 6+v, check the connections at the terminals, starter connections, and solenoid, if separate, and ground. Take note of the cable condition as well; if the clamp has lots of corrosion and the plastic jacket has swelled near it, the corrosion has migrated down the cable and is causing lots of resistance.
Tx Jim
New Member
Check battery connections paying special attention to ground cable where it attaches to tractor frame. Load test battery with a battery tester.
geneP
Platinum Member
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- Jun 28, 2000
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- 835
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- Central Mississippi, USA
- Tractor
- Case-International 385, Kubota L5450 w/LA1150A loader
As said above, condition of battery, cables, and connections. Over the years many things get changed. Sometimes the correct parts aren't used. A prime example is using 12V battery cables on 6V systems. Number 2 copper should be the minimum, with 0 or 00 preferred.
RayIN
Platinum Member
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- Sep 10, 2024
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- 2003 MF 451W/FEL, forks and bucket.
Replace both cables and load test battery. A 12V system sees nearly the same percentage of voltage drop when starter is powered, but with 6V the starter needs all the voltage/amperage it can get.
Little Red Tractor
Platinum Member
If you don't find a flaw in the starter cable or the ground, or any of the connections, I would have the battery load-tested, many if not most auto parts stores will do it free.
You might also try an 8 volt battery. Most old charging systems will keep them at 8+ volts. That's what I had to do on the old Cub in the avatar.
You might also try an 8 volt battery. Most old charging systems will keep them at 8+ volts. That's what I had to do on the old Cub in the avatar.
Pinecrest
New member
Years ago I had the same problem and couldn't find the issue.
Early one morning I was starting the motor and saw sparking where the throttle cable came though the firewall. Never figured what the original problem was but I attached a new ground cable from the engine to the frame and the problem went away and it stopped sparking where the throttle cable went through the firewall.
Early one morning I was starting the motor and saw sparking where the throttle cable came though the firewall. Never figured what the original problem was but I attached a new ground cable from the engine to the frame and the problem went away and it stopped sparking where the throttle cable went through the firewall.
RjCorazza
Elite Member
I've read about mechanics troubleshooting electrical problems by turning out the lights and looking around. I personally haven't found a short by doing that though!
Flogger
Silver Member
At that age I would pull both battery cables and inspect them carefully. If all is well clean the block where the ground connects to the engine and treat it wit a good antioxidant grease. Treat all if the terminals and reinstall. If that doesn’t help I would test the draw on the starter. This is the reverse of my typical troubleshooting steps but a tractor that age will most likely benefit greatly from the attention.
Personally I would convert it to 12 v . Easy enough to do I converted my 900 Ford and have no regrets! Starts easer especially in the winter. Just remember to replace coil with 12 v and lights as well. A bonus doing this is the headlights for 12 v are cheaper than 6 volt!!