Learned, Again Today.

My 67 CJ5 Dauntless would not start yesterday and I spent yesterday and today trying to understand why not. It had never had any starting issues before. I have been tracing every wire from dash to grill and found no issues . Really had me stumped. I learned a new lesson. After I shut it off last, I decided to paint my exhaust manifolds. I used Bill Hirsch black exhaust paint. It is applied on the manifolds when they are cold, then allowed to soak in for 24 hours before starting motor to heat the manifolds and cure the paint. Finally today after I pulled all my hair out I decided to run a ground wire from the battery to the alternator bracket. Turned the key and the problem was fixed, it started right up. Grounding on jeeps is always in my mind, but I had no reason to suspect my negative battery cable had lost ground. It did this because the exhaust paint had penetrated all around the cable at the manifold bolt where I have it. After the paint cured, my negative battery cable had lost its ground. Anyone else heard of this?

 

This isn't unique to just jeeps, Glad you found it, Ron

 

I feel helpful, in a didn't have any helpful advice sort of way.

 

Welcome from Michigan. I made sure everything is grounded, battery to the block, block to the frame, alternator to block, body to block, windshield to body, under seat gas tank to body, just to make sure ground is not the problem. I learned that from the guys that know about that sort of thing on this site, Good Luck

 

Glad you found it. I would suggest moving your ground from the exhaust manifold. That kind of heat is not nice on electrical cables and wiring.

 

I'm impressed with the paint, that must be some pretty damm good stuff!