Puzzling 1952 m38 won't Start

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 9:33 pm

Does your jeep have the cowl battery box circuit breakers?

If so, check to see if wire 10 from the regulator is connected to the first
breaker, and the other jumpers to each breaker are connected.
Maybe unhook each connector and hook back up.

Make sure wire 11 is connected to the last breaker and the split
connector to the horn and switch. From the switch wire 12 goes to the distributor.

With stock wiring You should be able to spin the starter by stepping on the foot switch whether the on off switch is on or not. If that isn't working then chase that problem first.

It is the simplest and most direct circuit on the jeep. 24 volts to the starter.
Ground to the frame. Foot switch actuates the starter.

Again, look at the wiring diagram here on line. It will help.

joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:27 am

Hey Guys.. THANKS for all the help..... this was one of those days for me...I left her at camp to no success....Also while checking battery posts after it would not crank, i accidentally disconnected this wire. What is this? i jimmy rigged it back but need to replace. who would sell this part? the part the wire fits into

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joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:31 am

4 x 4 M38.......so the starter should work if getting power ( which it is).... so my starter petal may be one issue... replace petal is a start i am thinking.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:27 am

Joe, the '52 M38 usually had the late bell nose, closed starter. The switch on top where the cables connect is notorious for burning up inside and will not engage the starter. You could have someone hold the starter petal in ready to start, or engaged and then carefully jumper the two leads on the starter and see if it spins the engine over. Lots of juice there and you could burn stuff up jumpering it. Maybe use a crappy set of jumper cables and connect them outside the engine compartment.

That broken off wire is where the power goes in to the coil from the key switch. Engine will need power there. Try Midwest Military for a new one. Why you have no power into the Jeep is still a mystery. There should be a large power wire where the battery connects to the starter. That is the feed to the rest of the Jeep. John

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:33 pm

A lot of what is called "Shotgun troubleshooting" usually will cost you more in the long run. The solicited replies head off in different troubleshooting directions. Best to get the manual out and go to the no start troubleshooting page and then use a note padand record the result of each step.

In order for us to provide constructive suggestions we need accurate info. Exactly which wiring you have, IE early vs late, w/wo circuit breakers.

Pictures really shorten the guessing list when you have troubles, Try to post at least these shots but you just need similar angles and a few showing your battery cable connections and routing and the wiring on the rear side of the dash panel:

Which wiring diagram below matches your jeep?

Early

Late

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:50 pm

Back to the original line of questions:

1 - Batteries are charged but the starter does not turn period and none of the lights, horn, gauges and etc are powered up?

2 - Need to repair or replace distributor power lead-in connector.

You can replace yours or if the wire just pulled out of the plug you can disassemble the plug and re-install the wire.

The how to is in TM 9-1825E. http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... it&lid=161

If you elect to buy a new plug you will still have to dissassemble the plug per TM 9-1825E and attach the wire to the pin. Unless of course you buy the whole assembly with wire and other end connector.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:00 pm

The starter issue sounds remarkably like this one:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ter+wiring

Bad grounds.

joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:05 pm

Hello Wesk Yes and Yes. I tore up the latter (distb. lead in wire turning on wrench to re-attach and clean starter cables. Day went immediately down hill then!!

pretty certain it is later model wiring. It's at my camp though ... dog gone! feel like driving over there tonight

Brian...i'll check again . Thanks for the help

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:08 pm

That post went thru a lot of Hit & Miss before progress was made and still he will never know what his real problem was now that it has many add on band aids covering the real problem up. Let's give this gentleman time to absorb what I have tossed him and time to tell and show us what he has to work with before we offer any more Shot Gunning type help!

joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:15 pm

Thanks everybody! To Be Continued next weekend! i'll send picture and read up on my manuals online and try to educate myself better to tell ya'll what is happening! thanks for your patience

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:41 pm

And which wiring diagram is yours? Late or early.

joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:55 pm

i will say later because only 2 wires are hooked to starter if i am seeing that correctly.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:23 pm

Hey Joe,
You didn't install that secret power disconnect switch you asked
about in 2013 by any chance?

joebuck · Post by **joebuck** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:29 pm

Hello Brian... i did not! i went old fashion way and just turn gas off under the hood.

love that little lever... i rest at night

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:38 pm

The starter wiring can't be used for ID'g earl vs late. The early diagram shows the external slave receptacle connected which can also be connected on the late system. The primary clues are the with or without circuit breakers and the two plug harness main light switch vs the late one plug.