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52 buick electrical problem, nada, nothing,

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by barry smith, Feb 8, 2013.

  1. barry smith
    Joined: Jun 26, 2012
    Posts: 56

    barry smith
    Member
    from Houston

    Went to start my buick that has been running fine and no horn, no lights, no gauges, nada!

    Baterry reads 8.2 volts on meater ( it is a 8 volt battery and voltage regulator has been adjusted to 8.2 volts)

    If I remove the ignition relay cover and pust the contacts together it starts as long as the ignition switch is in the on possition.

    After that horn and everything else works, let it sit over night and here we go again:mad:

    Can I bypass this ignition relay thingy, could it be the ignition switch in the car?

    Really considering going 12 volt conversion, I do want to put an ac and aftermaket stereo in it later down the road.:D

    If this was a 2 door fastback or a roadmaster I would keep it original, but it is a Super 4 door Sedan.

    Thanks!

    Barry
     
  2. sounds like a bad ignition relay. is it grounded ok?
     
  3. barry smith
    Joined: Jun 26, 2012
    Posts: 56

    barry smith
    Member
    from Houston

    I checked all the wire going to it and cleaned them good, but I may have found the problem, one of the very tiny wires coming of the coil winding inside the relay cloth was frayed and the wire was touching the housing that holds the coil, of coarse I tried to move it so i could put some electrcal tape around it and it broke, so JB weld it back to the contact and it started up, but will know for sure tomorrow.

    Any Idea of where to get that part?

    Thanks!
     
  4. bobwop
    Joined: Jan 13, 2008
    Posts: 6,134

    bobwop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Arley, AL

    try NAPA

    Bob's Automobilia

    RockAuto

    Kanter
     
  5. barry smith
    Joined: Jun 26, 2012
    Posts: 56

    barry smith
    Member
    from Houston

    well, not having much luck finding the relay, some call it a starter relay, some call it an ignition relay.

    Any way to bypass it, i will probabley have to repalce it with a 12 volt or get around it somehow when converting to 12 volts.

    is there a way to get around this acellerator pedal activated ignition ?
     
  6. FiddyFour
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 9,024

    FiddyFour
    Member

    sounds like a simple 12v ford starter solenoid would work for you
     
  7. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    The 8V battery tells me than some one tried to half ass the system instead of fixing it right. 52 Buick's started well for many years on 6 Vs until the lack of maintenance caught up with them. On an old 6V car, make sure that the 6V battery cables have not been replaced with the easier to find thinner 12 cables. You need the heavy 6V cables to carry the amps. Every connection in the starter system needs to be removed and cleaned. A wire brush or sand paper is used to get a bright shiny surface at each and every connection. Both Positive and negative. An 8 V battery is a crutch and not a cure. Fix it right and you'll be much happier with it.
     
  8. barry smith
    Joined: Jun 26, 2012
    Posts: 56

    barry smith
    Member
    from Houston

    I think I will try that, cheap enough.

    I will have to repalce the 6 volt relays with 12 anyway when doing the conversion.

    Whent ahead and ordered the altenator with built in voltage reg., and 12-6 volt resistors for guages.bulbls etc.
     
  9. barry smith
    Joined: Jun 26, 2012
    Posts: 56

    barry smith
    Member
    from Houston

    I did clean all the conectors to system including the grounds, 1 guage battery to starter wire same for ground from bat to engine mount engine block to frame frame to fire wall.

    Car would turn over and start fine, nothing wrong with using 8 volt bat. on 6 volt system asa long as you adjust the voltage reg.

    It just give it a bit more umph on those really cold mornings and super hot days when she has been driven awhile.

    Going to 12 volt anyways to be able to put ac and after market stereo system in it, allready orderd the power steering setup, power disc brake 's for front next.

    It will be a daily driver and ac is a must if you live in Houston, Power steering will be nice for getting in and out of thease small ass parking spaces now days.

    Thanks for the input.
     
  10. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 13,745

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

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