I have an '83 F800 with big-block gas engine (was told its a 427). Before it quit starting, the charge light would come on at idle. Now when I try to start it the starter clicks like its a dead battery, or won't do anything at all and the dash lights don't come on. If the dash lights come on it clicks when trying to start it-otherwise nothing at all. I cleaned the battery terminals and put a charged battery in, same symptoms. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you for your help.

 

It's a 429 not a 427. I'd replace the alternator. It may be shorting internally to the case and causing your problem. You can test this by unhooking the alternator and seeing if it will turn over. Don't let the wires touch bare metal though. That's just asking for trouble.

 

Have you tried jumping the starter solenoid. Usually when I get a click, it's because the solenoid is worn out.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll start with the easiest and work up from there- I've taken the solenoid off, I'll see if it can be bench tested. I noticed a lead to the ignition circuit and a lead to the starter circuit were each a little frayed, I'll clear that up. Also, I noticed that when trying to jump start it with the fresh battery (not taking anything for granted), at one point the headlights worked and then they didn't. Does that indicate anything? When the dashlights are on, I try to start it and it clicks, then it goes completely dead, no dash lights, no head lights, nothing. Thanks for the help.

 

Most likely a bad connection or a cable corroded under the insulation. Could be the starter but I would check all connections first.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Could be a 370 (same block).

 

Follow up: I put a new starter solenoid on, same symptoms. I pulled the battery and the positive and negative cables and while removing the negative cable from the engine block ground I noticed the washers there were covered with corrosion and grunge. I reassembled everything (cleaning all contact points on the cables) and it fired right up. It would have to have been the negative ground to the engine, as the other connections were checked previously. Thanks for all the help!