Here's a picture of how the Clipper is "resting"; as well as a picture of how the solenoids are installed.

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Thank you for confirming that there should be power to both small terminals. Both solenoids are also installed correctly with the rounded end on the top.

Since I'm not getting power to the bottom (down) solenoid's small terminal, then I think I will try replacing it. Any suggestions as were to find them?

I replaced them about two years ago, because of a similar problem. I can try that place again, but I thought I'd ask around for other places. The ones I replaced were used; so I suspect they may have outlived their lives.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Thank you for the diagram. I did the following as suggested:

Quote:
I didn't hear the motor. I just heard a few clicks, and then the fuse blew again. I think I have a bad down solenoid. I don't have power to the small terminal on the down solenoid, but I do have power to the small terminal on the up solenoid. I think the down solenoid is bad because there is not power registering at that solenoid's small terminal. Should I have power to both small terminals?

Thank you for your help.

I know that to engage either solenoid, upper or lower, that I run the jumper wire from GROUND to the small terminal on the TOP of the solenoid; and, to raise the rear end I run a jumper from ground to the small terminal on the upper solenoid. When I do this, I just get a few clicks and the back end of the car does not move.

I just learned that the 30 amp fuse runs between the I/O switch (under the dash) to the solenoids. I have now replaced the 30 amp fuse and turned off the I/O switch. There is still power to the solenoids, and I can jump the upper solenoid by grounding a wire to the small terminal on the top of the solenoid, but I still just get a clicking sound and the back end of the car does not raise up.

It seems like when the I/O switch is on, and I have power to the solenoids the 30 amp fuse just blows after 7 seconds with power to the solenoids. I went through five fuses until I figure this out. Could the I/O switch be bad?

Something else that I've discovered is that I am not getting power to the small terminal on the bottom solenoid.

Any additional suggestions?

It seems like the bottom solenoid on my '56 Clipper is bad. The car is stuck with the lower end down almost touching the ground. When I try and raise the back end by jumping the power to the upper solenoid, I keep blowing the 30 amp fuse.

I know I likely need to replace the lower solenoid; however, I want to raise the back of the car up so I can move the car off the street and into my driveway.

Does anyone have any suggestions on raising up the back end?