1963 T-Bird

PeTr0 · 02-19-2001, 10:31 PM

I know this might not be the proper place to post this..but this is the best board around. MY buddy just inhereted a 63 T-Bird and we went up to go take a look....it wouldnt start, so i figured the battery was dead after being stored for a few months untouched. The headlights and the radio worked though. When we turn the key nothing happens though. The volt meter confirms low battery. Why would accecories work....? The powersteering resovoir was taken out for some under hood painting but aside from that everything looks intact. What might someone do in storage that would cause a no start like this??? Or is it just the battery?

CJ's94GT · 02-19-2001, 10:35 PM

A battery could have 12 volts but not sufficient amperage to crank the starter motor. It is pretty typical of a battery that hasn't been used in a while.

Did you try thumping the solinoid while someone turned the key? Could just be stuck.

Jaydee · 02-20-2001, 11:26 AM

Old trick - put a load on the electrical system by turning on the head lights with the high beams, radio etc then try sounding the horn - 99% of the time if the battery is near death, all electrical activity will stop when you hit the horn due to the high instant current draw. Also, how clean are all the battery connections and grounds?

------------------
1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

PeTr0 · 02-20-2001, 10:26 PM

Connections are clean as a whislte...this car is mint...has the trophies sitting next to it.

02-19-2001, 10:31 PM	#1
PeTr0 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 286	1963 T-Bird I know this might not be the proper place to post this..but this is the best board around. MY buddy just inhereted a 63 T-Bird and we went up to go take a look....it wouldnt start, so i figured the battery was dead after being stored for a few months untouched. The headlights and the radio worked though. When we turn the key nothing happens though. The volt meter confirms low battery. Why would accecories work....? The powersteering resovoir was taken out for some under hood painting but aside from that everything looks intact. What might someone do in storage that would cause a no start like this??? Or is it just the battery?

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02-19-2001, 10:35 PM	#2
CJ's94GT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wichita,KS Posts: 59	A battery could have 12 volts but not sufficient amperage to crank the starter motor. It is pretty typical of a battery that hasn't been used in a while. Did you try thumping the solinoid while someone turned the key? Could just be stuck.

02-20-2001, 11:26 AM	#3
Jaydee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Conn. Posts: 220	Old trick - put a load on the electrical system by turning on the head lights with the high beams, radio etc then try sounding the horn - 99% of the time if the battery is near death, all electrical activity will stop when you hit the horn due to the high instant current draw. Also, how clean are all the battery connections and grounds? ------------------ 1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

02-20-2001, 10:26 PM	#4
PeTr0 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 286	Connections are clean as a whislte...this car is mint...has the trophies sitting next to it.