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I recently purchased a 1949 DeSoto station wagon that is wired as 6 volt negative ground (i think to add an aftermarket heater).
After an internet search, I tried to switch the ground to the factory specs. (back to positive ground). I took out the aftermarket heater, I disconnected the battery, reversed the connections on the coil and ammeter, then reconnected the battery with positive ground. The car started right up, but then died. Now, when I turn the ignition switch the starter won't turn. I then reversed everything to how it was and engine still won't turn over. Any suggestions????
Sounds like the starter solenoid try jumping the solenoid. Bill
How do I "jump the solenoid"? Also, I would like to successfully change the car back to positive ground. Any ideas how to do that?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Just use a screwdriver and jump across from the battery post on the solenoid to the small post with the wire that goes to the distributor.
Paul
Malcolm, how did everything work before you changed the polarity? There is another post to change a 6 volt positive ground to a 12 v negative system and some questions have come up. It seems there would have been some other changes - you may not know of these if the previous owner did them seamlessly but I figured it was worth asking.
My 49 started right up and ran well prior to my meddling. Its an older restoration (early 80's, I believe) and was probably changed to negative ground at that time. I'm not interested in changing the voltage to 12 volt, which does require more changes (alternator, new light bulbs, etc.). I just want to return it to how it was when new, ie 6 volt, positive ground. The wiring is all original and will need to eventually be replaced. The headlights, turn indicator, temperature guage, dome light all work. The ammeter, dash lights and radio do not. The radio would only work if the wiring is positive ground, as original, which is one of the reasons I would like to convert to positive ground.
I will try to short across the solenoid....if that works, do I need to replace the solenoid?
Check all the wires and connections involved first. then check out the solenoid for burned contacts, also check and clean battery terminals. BillBelk
Howdy Malcolm, You may also need to reverse the polarity on the generator and voltage regulator back to positive ground. This may perhaps be why it quit running right after starting. There are several articles on the internet specific to Chrysler positive ground systems that will lead you through the process, and could be printed out to take with you. It is simple procedure and just requires a short jumper wire across the terminals of the voltage regulator. It is important to know which terminals need jumped for your specific polarity and voltage regulator though. Hope this helps...
Thanks for everyone's input: hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to sort it out and get it running again!
