Gents,

I am having an electrical problem when the truck sits in the sun all morning. When I go out to crank it up, I get nothing. All the dash lights (BATT, etc.) light up correctly. I hear an audible "click" under the hood, but no start.

Once the truck cools, starts on the first crank.

I assumed the starter solenoid (mounted to the inner passenger fender liner) was hanging up when it got hot and the contacts were freezing.

I bought a new solenoid from Ford, wired it EXACTLY as the old: Pos from battery to furthest post from battery, all ignition/alternator wiring to that same post --- nearer post (to battery) is cable directly to starter, nothing else.

When I started the truck (which cranked first time) the starter hung up running. The truck would not turn off or disengage the starter until i pulled the negative cable from the battery.

Same thing happened with a GP Sorenson solenoid from Advance Auto, even when wired correctly.

The starter is less than six months old and has only the single wire connection from the solenoid. The battery is a year old. All other cables appear to be in good shape.

I replaced the actual electrical switch for the ignition that mounts to the steering column behind the dash (the key turning pushes a rod that makes the connections on this switch). All the connections and wires are tight.

I put the original solenoid back on the truck and everything works normally (starts, starter disengages, truck shuts off properly) until the truck sits overnight and gets hot in the sun again.

The only thing unusual is that the former ground cable from the battery looks like it was cut off near the oil pan and the end left in place on the ground bolt. A new cable was added and secured with a second nut.

Any ideas on what is going on here? I am about ready to run this thing into the lake....

Axel F

 

Here is what the ground should look like at the engine.

 

Thanks, Subford for the diagram. Do you believe that a bad cable could be causing this condition?


Axel

 

Yes it could, I had a problem with my 66 XL Conv. two days ago and it would start when cold and would not start when hot, just clicked.
Checked with a meter and the Battery Voltage stayed up when it clicked but the other end of the battery cable at the solenoid was only 4 volts when it clicked.
Replaced the POS Battery cable and it starts right up, now if I can just find someone to buy it.