Clark C500 SERIES:
won't start

I have a Clark C500 that won't start. If I turn the propane tank on you can hear and smell propane but never seems to stop. I think it's flooding because if I shut the tank off and let it sit a couple of minutes it will sometimes start and run for 5-10 sec. Is it the regulator that prevents propane for entering the carb or the diaphragm on the carb. The carb is a J&S model 55 and I'm assuming the regulator is also a J&S but has no #'s. Are there rebuild kits for these or do you have to buy the whole regulator or carb? I know the solenoid is good before the regulator because I hear it click on and off with the ignition. I also noticed if I leave the tank on it will freeze up the carb. Any suggestions? Thanks
  • Posted 31 Jan 2014 00:52
  • Discussion started by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
Showing items 1 - 15 of 17 results.
These trucks use the starter relay to signal the alternator to turn on instead of an indicator light. Sometimes when the starter relay goes bad, a novice will jumper the relay & the result is a no shut off due to back feed thru the alt to the ignition circuit. Check the starter relay, back near the left engine door hinge, by the battery.
  • Posted 17 Feb 2014 09:03
  • Reply by bbforks
  • Pennsylvania, United States
bbforks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
Customers love technology- until they have to pay to fix it!
Apparently you are feeding the ignition system off of a battery hot circuit somehow.
My guess is that the problem is located in the key switch wiring. or that an improper jumper type wire or circuit has been put in place.
Another possibility is that the alternator is somehow energizing the ignition system circuits, and that too might be the result of somebody tinkering.
Do you know anything about electrical systems?
  • Posted 16 Feb 2014 13:08
  • Reply by L1ftmech
  • Tennessee, United States
Well thanks for all your help. I got a new system in there and it runs great but noticed when I turn the ignition switch off that it doesn't shut off. I have to turn the propane off till it stalls. I also noticed that when I hooked up the battery that I heard the shut off solenoid open with the key off so I must have wired something wrong. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this model? There was one wire that was hooked up to the positive side of the coil that ran over near where I was working but wasn't hooked to anything I thought, is this my problem? Thanks
  • Posted 16 Feb 2014 05:18
  • Reply by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
No, you can't use an Impco mixer with this type of regulator because the J&S regulator presents pressurized fuel vapor to the J&S mixer.
Then the J&S mixer meters the low pressure fuel into the intake system.

The Impco regulators DO NOT feed fuel out under PRESSURE.
The Impco system only lets fuel out of the regulator when a negative pressure (vacuum) pulls against the secondary diaphragm in the regulator with enough force to operate the secondary fuel vapor valve.
When that valve unseats, fuel vapor rushes toward the mixer, and away we go.
This is why it was suggested early in the thread to scrap the J&S in favor of Impco components........the 2 brands are incompatible, because they work on different principles.
  • Posted 11 Feb 2014 15:03
  • Reply by L1ftmech
  • Tennessee, United States
Can I use a new Impco carb with the rest of the current system?
  • Posted 11 Feb 2014 13:11
  • Reply by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
The problem is that carb was a one of a kind thing that was used on some of the D155 motors. There is a updated carb (1320325) that would work but it is wicked expensive. Maybe a propane fuel systems sales specialist would have an idea. Other than that, try fixing your's or convert the whole system to Impco as suggested. It shouldn't let the fuel flow until there is vacuum by cranking the motor to start.
  • Posted 11 Feb 2014 03:25
  • Reply by mrfixit
  • New York, United States
Thanks mrfixit, I don't think it has a choke. It is an updraft carb J&S model #55 that has a inlet on one end and a diaphragm on the other with an electromagnet on the end of the diaphragm under a cover. Forklift is a Clark C500-45 type G serial# 355 890 2548. Engine plate D155-G spec# 2311180 serial# 225931.
  • Posted 11 Feb 2014 00:50
  • Reply by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
Does that mixer have a choke on it? Are there 2 round covers stacked on top of each other that the diaphrams are in, held on by 6 screws? If so, the part number of the rebuild kit is 882630 and anyone with a TVH account can get that for you. If not, what is the full model/serial number of your forklift.
  • Posted 10 Feb 2014 21:04
  • Reply by mrfixit
  • New York, United States
I did end up replacing the vaporizer after finding the diaphragm was blown and it was full of silicone. I can still hear propane down at the mixer inlet with the intake tube off but doesn't seem to be as bad. Am I supposed to hear propane at the mixer with the key on? I think the diaphragm on the mixer is blown but both the diaphragm and the mixer are not available. What mixer can I get that will work with this system without replacing the entire system? Thanks
  • Posted 10 Feb 2014 11:01
  • Reply by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
Ditto here. BBF is dead on. A couple of posts down you will see Eric had a problem with his old J and S system, carb was not to be found. He emailed me a few days ago- h installed Impco conversion and the world suddenly became a better place:)!
  • Posted 2 Feb 2014 02:41
  • Reply by Forkliftt
  • Louisiana, United States
Steve
steve at forkliftt dot com
I personally wouldn't rebuild this system but take the opportunity to upgrade to a much better Impco system- IMHO.
  • Posted 1 Feb 2014 00:44
  • Reply by bbforks
  • Pennsylvania, United States
bbforks (at) Hotmail (dot) com
Customers love technology- until they have to pay to fix it!
tvh.com/newen2/
they might have what your looking for, if not they might lead you in the right direction.
  • Posted 31 Jan 2014 22:41
  • Modified 31 Jan 2014 22:42 by poster
  • Reply by Rmullis
  • North Carolina, United States
Russell mullis
Atlantic Forklift Services
Charlotte, Nc
Mullis.russell@gmail.com
7042967564
Do you happen to know the best place to get these rebuild kits? Thanks
  • Posted 31 Jan 2014 10:55
  • Reply by loadedgoat65
  • California, United States
oh its one of those old things
ya mrfixit is right on that
high pressure can cause it to blow past the mixer diaphragm for sure
  • Posted 31 Jan 2014 07:38
  • Reply by swoop223
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com
That's the J&S with the regulator mounted in the thermostat housing. You can measure the outlet pressure and is it goes up over 15 and climbs then the regulator is bad. That would cause that problem by flooding it. They are available and so are kits for the carb.
  • Posted 31 Jan 2014 06:46
  • Modified 31 Jan 2014 06:48 by poster
  • Reply by mrfixit
  • New York, United States

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