M35A2 No battery power

Went to look at another deuce (been ignored a long time)...I was checking it out and put two brand new batteries in it to try to get it to turn over. I turned the battery switch and nothing is happening. Now I want to say the switch is bad but I of course did not have a meter with me to ensure power is getting at least to the switch. Is there anything besides the leads from the battery that is between the battery and the switch I can check? This thing is in the middle of the woods and I want to go prepared when I go back down there. I looked for a battery cutoff switch but could not find one unless previous owner has it hidden. I was too afraid to get underneath due to rattlesnakes and wasps in all the weeds and bushes around it. Taking appropriate firepower and spray when i go back. It is a good find for parts if I can get it to run and know the LDT is good to go.

And yes the batteries are charged.

In case you don't have this, it might help.

Also, if it's just for parts, can you put it in neutral and tow it out? I'd think the price would go up if you got it to run

You can turn her over by jumping the starter solenoid and battery +. The good old making sparks with a big a** screwdriver method. No in tank pump though, so she may have a hard time getting fuel after sitting for a long long time. If she fires up, she will run and drive without any electrics.

Here is a visual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilrVbn1CHi0

That's my LDS outside of the truck. It shows where to make contact to make stuff happen.

montaillou said:

In case you don't have this, it might help.View attachment 763336

Also, if it's just for parts, can you put it in neutral and tow it out? I'd think the price would go up if you got it to run

Click to expand...

Good dang point...

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cattlerepairman said:

You can turn her over by jumping the starter solenoid and battery +. The good old making sparks with a big a** screwdriver method. No in tank pump though, so she may have a hard time getting fuel after sitting for a long long time. If she fires up, she will run and drive without any electrics.

Here is a visual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilrVbn1CHi0

That's my LDS outside of the truck. It shows where to make contact to make stuff happen.

Click to expand...

So it was from the terminal where lead is hooked up on solenoid to that one terminal just above it? Both contact points are on the solenoid correct?

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you can buy a napa "remote starter switch" for about 15$. just clip one lead on the large cable coming from the battery and the other to the small wire. That way you don't run yourself over if its not in neutral, and you can observe/bleed the fuel lines and filters by yourself.

Yes, both on solenoid. Good safety pointer, davidb.

cattlerepairman said:

Yes, both on solenoid. Good safety pointer, davidb.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Did it on my first truck..1969 Ford Ranger a bunch but it was on that solenoid up on the drivers side fender.

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Why not use the manual and trouble shoot it? Fix it right. If I remember right, it should have a push button starter switch, or a spring loaded start switch. In and case, pull the wires off and mesure for 24 volts on one wire, and jump it to the other wire. If the engine turns over, the switch is bad. If it doesn't do squat, then look for the circuit breaker. its only got two wires on it if I remember right. Take them off, mesure for 24 volts on one wire, jump it to the other wire. Try and start the truck.

If the schmatic is new to you, perhaps you need to download the TM's. The trouble shooting diagram is easy to follow.

Guyfang said:

Why not use the manual and trouble shoot it? Fix it right. If I remember right, it should have a push button starter switch, or a spring loaded start switch. In and case, pull the wires off and mesure for 24 volts on one wire, and jump it to the other wire. If the engine turns over, the switch is bad. If it doesn't do squat, then look for the circuit breaker. its only got two wires on it if I remember right. Take them off, mesure for 24 volts on one wire, jump it to the other wire. Try and start the truck.

If the schmatic is new to you, perhaps you need to download the TM's. The trouble shooting diagram is easy to follow.

Click to expand...

Not time for that. Escorted in, not his land, etc.etc...just looking for quick ideas until I get it home if I get it.

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Then tow it. Or, even tow or push start, (yes, I have push started one of these things, several times) it. And the post about the price going up is probably right. Buy it as junk, tow it out and then fix it. I once helped to push start a M35A2 with five other people, after the cab caught fire and burned up. If the engine gets fuel, air and compression, it will start.

Make sure wire #10 ( 12 gauge lead) is connected to either the battery hot side of the magnetic relay, or the battery hot post on the starter. That is where the whole cab pulls power from. Sometimes the wire or ring terminal breaks at the connection point from age and vibration.

Bring a spare ring terminal for 12 gauge wire with 3/8" stud.

It is not unheard of that one or both of the plugs on the starter switch will be loose. Look for corrosion in plugs or loose wires.

Did you get it fingered out?

Jeepsinker said:

Did you get it fingered out?

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He didn't update this thread but he's got a post in "What did you do...", post #8939, that shows a parts truck which I assume is the one he's talking about here.

I didn't want to reply until i had the pic of the wire that was bad....took it this morning. As i had said, I had no power to the master switch. Started by checking the main ground, took switch out and looked for power at each connection. NO power and went on to using the schematic to chase the wires. Found the wire in the pic corroded in half. It is coming from the bottom of the starter magnetic relay. Spliced it back together with some good waterproof connections and it is good to go!

Jeepsinker said:

Did you get it fingered out?

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Just posted a pic of the wire, thanks for all of your help.

That's wire #10, just as I suspected! Glad you got it.��

Jeepsinker said:

That's wire #10, just as I suspected! Glad you got it.��

Click to expand...

You are wise beyond your years!! I did not realize it was the same wire.

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