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MG TD TF 1500 - TD will not start

I have restored my 1952 TD and I went to Polarize the generator before starting the car, well nothing happens. I charged the battery and had it tested, but I get nothing everything is dead. No lights, no horn, no clicking sound from the fuel pump, I am at a loss. When I put the car back after having all the parts painted maybe I did not ground something. I also used a different battery to see if that was the problem. I need help, please. Everyone in America, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Louis
L.M. Levin

Louis,

You definitely need to get a meter and start tracing your 12 volts. As you suggested yourself, it's probably a grounding problem. Where is your ground strap connected?

Gene
Gene Gillam

Gene; I don't know, I did not remove the engine or transmission when the car was painted. The front head light is grounded under the left fender. Thanks for responding to Gordon also.
Louis
L.M. Levin

Hi Louis,

You should have an Earthing Strap from the bell housing to the chassis ie crankcase not the ali sump.

If you rig a lead with a crocodile clip at each end and try to establish an earth.

The dead electrics that you report is typical of a bad earth.

Remember that if every thing has been painted you may have to scrape back the paint to make a good contact.

Regards

Russ
Russell Dade

Louis, the main ground is the short cable that goes from the battery post to the side of the battery compartment. Is that one there? Did you clean the inside of the battery cable clamps before you connected them to the battery? Do you have a test lamp handy?
Bud Krueger

I had the same problen on a ford. I omitted taking the black plastic cover off from the negative post on a new battery.
Sandy
conrad sanders

There is an excellent article about grounds somewhere out there (David D. wrote it). Make sure the short battery cable that bolts on to the box has bare metal under the loop/bolt, etc. You have to have a little electrical knowledge to trace this, easier to show someone in person, but we can try to help. Lastly, make sure the battery is good- when it was tested, was it for voltage- or with one of the big clamp-on amps testers? George PS- happy Thanksgiving!!
George Butz

Louis,

You need some help, and I'm not sure this board is your answer.

According to your entry, you are in California - where in California?

Be a little more precise. Perhaps we can find someone near you and get you some badly-needed help.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Gordon: I live in Modesto California, 75 miles south of Sacramento. I did scrap the conection for the battery ground. I will check to seeif I have an Earthing Strap.
Thanks for all the imput.
Louis
L.M. Levin

Louis, also check the "hot" side cable where it attatches to the starter switch. On the same terminal should be the wiring for the rest of the car. If you some how put the leads for the rest of the car on the terminal with the cable going to the starter, it would also give you the same symptoms you have described.

LaVerne
LaVerne

LaVerne you hit the nail on the head, that was the problem. Oh well, we all have to learn. I did attach a ground led from the frame to the bell housing. Thanks for all your help, everyone, and have a Happy Holiday.
Louis
L.M. Levin

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2008 and 20/12/2008

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