Hey Y'all,
I've got a 1980 F350 2WD DRW 460 4spd and I'm having some problems getting her to do anything when I turn the key. This literally happened overnight, and it's kicking my ass. I'm not getting power to the radio, blower motor, ignition coil, starter, zero. I did a little shotgun repair of replacing the ignition switch ($10). Didn't help. Anyone have a similar issue with hopefully a simple fix that I'm overlooking?
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-1998 F150 Lariat 4x4 SuperCab Short Bed 5.4L with 22x,xxx mi: 285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grappler True Dual Exhaust "SUPERFORD"
-1980 F350 Flatbed 4x2 4spd 460 DRW "Ol' SMOKY"
Put the battery on a charger, put it back in the truck, and test the voltage: + lead on the battery side of the solenoid and - lead at the - post on the battery. If you get ~12, then check with the - lead to chassis ground. My bet is a bad battery cable.
Next, check the fuse link connected along side the positive cable at the solenoid.
will that fusible link cause power loss to everything? It looks blown I'll have to wait till I can get my multimeter from the shop tomorrow but i'll check that. Any other possibilities?
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-1998 F150 Lariat 4x4 SuperCab Short Bed 5.4L with 22x,xxx mi: 285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grappler True Dual Exhaust "SUPERFORD"
-1980 F350 Flatbed 4x2 4spd 460 DRW "Ol' SMOKY"
If the headlights work, then that main fusible link is good. Try to start it with the headlights on if they work. Have someone watch them, and turn the key. If they go completely out, then I would suspect a bad battery, bad battery cable, or bad cable connection.
If they stay bright, then I would follow that one smaller wire with the fusible link down into the loom, and look for other fusible links and factory splices that like to get corroded. Remember, if you have no headlights too, then that main fusible link is suspect.
I had that same problem with my 84 and I put it into reverse and let it roll a little then hit the brakes, put it back into park and it started right up...
Not sure if this will help but it worked for me...
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Justin Smith
1984 F-150 Ex. Cab 5.8L V8
It sounds like you had a neutral safety switch headed south on you Darksidesm. I will work on the truck this evening with both of your's advice in mind. Thank you all and if anyone has any other advice in the mean time please let me know!
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-1998 F150 Lariat 4x4 SuperCab Short Bed 5.4L with 22x,xxx mi: 285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grappler True Dual Exhaust "SUPERFORD"
-1980 F350 Flatbed 4x2 4spd 460 DRW "Ol' SMOKY"
I had exactly the same problem with my 88 a couple months ago. No juice to the cab whatsover, but I had headlights. After changing the ignition switch and starter relay, I started checking wires and connections. Finally tracked it down to a corroded wire just before it goes thru the firewall. It was one of the yellow wires that carries power to the cab. I just happened to notice that a 1" section of the wire looked a little swollen. Got lucky. Problem solved.
