I have an old 72 ford it is a 3/4 ton. My dad use to drive it but parked it because of a leak in the fuel pump. I bought a new fuel pump and put it in. Changed the battery and everything and i got it running for a little while but it still needed work. I went out this morning and was tinkering with it again and the battery is dead and I made sure the key was off along with all the lights and everything. Any ideas on why the battery went dead?

 

Battery could still be good but the cables/terminals are shot. Put a voltmeter on the battery and measure. What ya got?

Clean all contact points in the start circuit, including grounds, reseat/tighten, and try again.

Otherwise, it'll be a parasitic drain... I have gone so far as to remove fuses to ID the culprit circuit.

 

Ok thanks! When I get home I will do that and let ya know and see what you think I should do.

 

'Could also try jumping the S terminal to the hot side of the battery to see if it cranks. If it does, then the problem is with the solenoid or ignition switch/wiring.


I like to keep a spare start solenoid onhand because it is one of the weakest links with these old trucks.... quality in manufacturing isn't what it used to be.

 

Reason why I didn't replace my solenoid. It's old but it keeps working.

 

What do I need to do to jump it? Is it the same as jumping the battery?

 

No it's not

He said jump the S terminal on the solenoid TO the positive side of the battery. That will force it to crank if it can.

In other words, hot wire it!

 

Oh ok I got it now I will do that when I get home that's what I will try first

 

Use a screwdriver to bridge across the terminal and battery.


... before doing so, make sure the trans is in neutral with a manual or in park with an auto. We wouldn't want to have you pinned against workbench or garage wall, ya know?....

 

Damm good Advice !

 

One of those things we usually learn the hard way

 

I think I got it. I found a short in one of the wires and the battery is charging right now so I will find out tomorrow morning if that was the problem.

 

Most 40yr old battery cables should be replaced. Even tho they look good at the ends as they corrode inside where it can't be seen that reduces the current flow to the starter.

With all doors closed, lights off & Ign-switch off you should not have any little spark when placing battery cable onto the Battery.

Orich

 

--Unless you have a modern stereo that has keep alive memory for your station presets, etc. In this case, you would have a small current draw when connecting the battery cable to the post.

 

also make sure you are not turning the key all the way to the left. that is the accessory position on these trucks. off should be straight up and down on the key if the switch is aligned properly, or one click right of far left position.