Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Finally got The old girl out for the first time today.Crummy weather here in Michigan.Yeah, she ran like,...well a Packard.But rats the clock did not start when I connected the battery.The battery did run down to dead last fall,so I did not get a last start up before the snow flew.Plus the charger quit.Oh well I am thinking just clean the connections.Any one have any other thoughts? BHW

When your battery starts to run down, it causes arcing when the points come together on the clock. Then eventually the points stick because of this. Then you hook charge up the battery again and it blows the fuse, or melts the solder connection at the safety leg on the winder solenoid in the clock. Either way you will need to service the points in the clock.

Thanks Kevin,It had run down one time before and with a fresh battery it worked fine.After the short run today I disconnected the battery again just to be safe. BHW

Guess its back to the books to figure out how to service the clock.

Yeah, it doesnt happen all the time. But if the points were already marginal to start with, then it has a higher chance of it. A point file and a fresh fuse and you should be ticking like a clock. ;)

Not sure you will find anything in the books. Put search the forms and my blogs as this have been covered a few times on how to get them ticking again.

The clock is basically a wind up mechanical clock, with a point activated electric winder. You will need to pull the dash cluster forward, and then remove the clock from the cluster to service it.

That I don't know, I didn't service it during the restoration.A clock nut from work did it. All he did was clean it. And not much of that.From what he said.I can get it out no problem.I think I know what to look for.Next good day we have .... Maybe sometime in July.LOL

Hell, ship it to me, i'll clean it. I have a ton of solution and oil in the pen oiler left over from fixing my 50 clock. But if it needs more than minor electrical work or cleaning/oiling...i can't do more than that.

I assume you have a borg clock-do a search on borg clock repair-there is an article in old car weekly?. Basically get the clock out of the car and remove the back case. You will see a set of electrical contacts-when they close it energizes a soloneid that winds the clock for a couple of minutes. You should be able to wind it manually. If the clock does not work then get some light oil(kano sells some) and lightly oil the gears. Clean the contacts with contact cleaner and metal file. It takes a couple of times to get it working correctly

good luck

David

Hey guys guess what nice weather! Fix the clock!Well try.Yeah Kevin the fuse was blown.BUT I see no way to get the clock out of the cluster other than taking the whole thing apart!The clock face is the problem.My clock is not like the one in the book that just comes out. ( Of course.) B