Hey, im having issues with my 1990 f150 300 starting. I turn the key and all of the lights on the dash come on regularly, then i goto start it and i hear a click and then everything shuts off including all of the lights on the dash. Then I turn the key again and nothing turns on not even the dash lights. Randomly i am able to turn the key and all of that will happen again. If someone could help me out, that would be amazing! Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum, Chambersboy!

Sounds like a weak battery or poor cable connections. When this happens, will it start if you jump start it [using battery cables] from another vehicle?

 

Yes i tried that and i cleaned the battery terminals. The positive and negitive cables both look good. What else could it be?

 

Ground to the engine/chassis, positive to the solenoid, or bad battery.

Try getting your jumper cables and connecting the ground lead from the battery to the engine. And the positive from the battery positive to the solenoid. See if it starts better then. Also get a meter and check the battery voltage after the power disappears.

 

Good suggestions by Jjona5. If the battery cables are original to the truck, they are 26 years old. Even if the battery connections are good and clean, there can be corrosion at the solenoid, the ground [frame and engine/starter], etc. The cables, themselves, can break down internally. Any corrosion increases electrical resistance. Sometimes, enough electricity can flow to run lights and radio, etc., but not enough to power the starter motor, which requires so very much more amperage.