A circuit breaker?

[ew1usnr]

I tried to start my car and the engine was turning over. Just as it started to catch, everything went dead. Head lights, ignition, instrument panel, everything.

I disconnected the ground on the battery and when I reconnected it, the instrument panel lights (generator & oil pressure) came back on. I turned the ignition and heard a brief sound, and everything went dead. I disconnected and re-connected the ground. Again - turned the ignition and heard a brief sound, and then everything went dead. I disconnected and re-connected the ground. Repeat.

It is like by disconnecting from the battery I am re-setting a circuit breaker somewhere. Is there a circuit breaker in the starter motor? Does this sound like short in the starter motor?

The head lights / dome lights do not come on when the instrument panel re-activates. It is a puzzle to me as to how the light circuit would have failed because of a problem in the ignition starter circuit. Any suggestions?

Signed, Puzzled.

[Jeff W]

These isn't any kind of whole system breaker that would act in the manner you describe. My best guess (since you aready checked the main battery cables and connection while "resetting ") is your battery is shot or dead.

It takes an awful lot of current to turn a starter motor. It's possible the battery has time to regenerate after the draw during the time you are goofing around under the hood.

Let us know.

[Vikingblu]

Puzzled, is the starter solenoid on the inner fender?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGGTaOQkkAk

[ew1usnr]

I connected the battery to a 2-amp charger last night to make sure that it is charged. This car has a 260 V-8. I noticed that the cable that goes to the starter goes down from the starter solenoid and then under the right-side exhaust manifold on its way to the starter. The cable is very close to the exhaust manifold, perhaps only an inch away. I am surprised that the cable has not melted. In the following picture you can see the black starter cable in the center where it goes under the exhaust manifold. Is the is the correct routing?

Starter cable passing close under exhaust manifold:
1-DCP_4148.JPG

Thanks for the solenoid video. I'll follow the testing procedures tonight and see if I am getting a voltage signal to it. I'll also try touching the starter cable to the battery terminal and see if the starter works.

Here is my solenoid:
1-DCP_4151.jpg

Here is an internet photo of a solenoid in a award-winning 1963 Falcon. Is that a capacitor on the battery side of the solenoid? What is that for? My solenoid does not have one.

Example solenoid.
example starter relay.jpg

[Jeff W]

That little guy is a circuit breaker for the convertible top motor.

I truly think this is a simple case of a dead battery.

[Vikingblu]

Start by cleaning the cable lugs, nuts and studs common to the solenoid. should all be shiny metal. looks like a lot of old paint and rust and stuff on there.
one at a time of course, but then,, you have pics