01-09-2024, 02:06 PM
Hi Barry
A 6 volt car should start fine - they all did when they were new !
If your voltmeter is telling you that the battery terminal volts are dropping too low, then it's time for a new battery.
Alternatively if the battery is reasonably healthy you may have a connection somewhere that is a bit below par and causing the coil voltage to be less than required.
With early cars, the earth return from the starter motor was via the engine block, then via the crankcase mounting feet to the chassis, then from the chassis to the body via any fixing bolts, then via cable from the body back to battery negative. All a bit torturous, and any volt drop in this path will also reduce the coil voltage. If you haven't already, try an earth strap direct from the starter body to the battery. Even a single borrowed jump start lead from starter to battery might be worth trying to see if it makes any difference.
If you want to be more scientific, wire your voltmeter between engine block and battery negative post. If you see any voltage drop more than about 0.2 volts when cranking it's a sign that the earth return path is not really good enough.
See wiring diagrams for all years here: http://www.da7c.co.uk/technical_torque_a...Wiring.pdf
A 6 volt car should start fine - they all did when they were new !
If your voltmeter is telling you that the battery terminal volts are dropping too low, then it's time for a new battery.
Alternatively if the battery is reasonably healthy you may have a connection somewhere that is a bit below par and causing the coil voltage to be less than required.
With early cars, the earth return from the starter motor was via the engine block, then via the crankcase mounting feet to the chassis, then from the chassis to the body via any fixing bolts, then via cable from the body back to battery negative. All a bit torturous, and any volt drop in this path will also reduce the coil voltage. If you haven't already, try an earth strap direct from the starter body to the battery. Even a single borrowed jump start lead from starter to battery might be worth trying to see if it makes any difference.
If you want to be more scientific, wire your voltmeter between engine block and battery negative post. If you see any voltage drop more than about 0.2 volts when cranking it's a sign that the earth return path is not really good enough.
See wiring diagrams for all years here: http://www.da7c.co.uk/technical_torque_a...Wiring.pdf