QuestionI have a problem with my 1942 packard car.IT does not start well.iT HAD FULL BODY RESTORATION 10 YEARS AGO AND PREVIOUS CAR owner SAID HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROMLEM. The car has negative 6 voltage battery. WE have changed voltage regulator,took out and checked also generator(the guy at the electrical shop tested it and said that it is running fine),but still when we look at the gauge it does not show it charging even when batery was charged for long time . Please help!!! Could it be battery or is it something else? I just purchased it and it had to travel across America to get home so have not been able to enjoy driving it .There are no loose wires anywhere that we can see. The battery is under the seat. Sincerely EVA
AnswerThere are quite a few possibilities here. The first thing you should do is verify that the charging system is really not working. Perhaps your gauge is telling you wrong, in other words.
The way to do this is to start the engine, set it at fast idle, either by holding down the gas pedal or with the hand throttle, if your car still has one, or by temporarily adjusting the idle speed screw on the carburetor to fast idle. Now, with the car idling fast, disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery. If the engine stops immediately, you know the charging system is not working. If the engine keeps running with the battery disconnected, you know that the charging system is working. How well it is working you find out by the following added test:
With the engine still idling fast, and the battery disconnected, turn on the parking lights. If the engine stalls, your charging system is working but only feebly. If it keeps running with the parking lights on, try another electrical load (windshield wipers, heater etc.) until you find the point at which the engine begins to falter or stall. If you can turn on your headlights, you have a superb charging system and your gauge is telling fibs (it is probably disconnected).
If the car passes this test, and still the battery won't keep a good state of charge, replace the battery. Be sure to get the highest CCA rating battery you can fit under the seat, and MAKE SURE THEY PUT IT IN WITH THE POSITIVE TERMINAL GROUNDED! I strongly recommend the new gel cell wrapped batteries - talk to your local golf cart battery supplier.
Now, back to step one, if your engine stalls even with no electrical load when running on the generator alone (battery disconnected), you need to take the car to an automotive electrical person who understands old 6 volt positive ground cars.
Mistakes that are made with these cars include, in order of likelyhood:
1. Failure to polarize the generator for positive ground operation
2. Failure to ground the voltage regulator to the body
3. Failure of the wiring or internal parts of the ammeter.
4. Battery unable to take a charge due to deterioration and lack of frequent use
5. General wiring deterioration (I hope this car has a new wiring harness!)
This should get you started in the right direction for solving this problem. These cars are extremely well designed and built, and very reliable when properly serviced - but who knows what has been done to this car over the years.
I still drive my 1947 Packard all over the country - having returned just this spring from a trip up the Pacific coast. It has almost 300,000 miles on it (the last 150,000 put on by me since I bought it in 1967). The car has NEVER failed to start and bring our family home, no matter the weather or road conditions. That is what quality meant in those days. Most modern cars also are extremely reliable, but in the 40s, only the truly well designed cars could say that!
If you need more information from me, post a "follow up" question and I'll try to help more.
Dick.
