I have a 1973 Ford F100. My problem is that when I turn the key to on, the only things that will come on are the radio, the dome light, and all the outside truck lights, but none or the gauges come on. Windshield wipers work. When I turn the key to on, power goes away from the dash like it should and the other lights stay on, but it won't crank. Engine will turn over when jumped from the battery to the solenoid. Terminals are clean, fuses are good, wiring is correct as far as being compared to a Chilton's Manual. What could possibly be my problem.

 

Bad solenoid.

 

my truck was acting similar. i replaces the solenoid and i also had a blown fuse link.

 

If it's an automatic, check the neutral start switch, it could either be bad or out of adjustment. On 73's it's located under the dash, on top of the steering column near the firewall.
Another common problem with the NSS is the little "tang" that activates the switch breaks off.

 

I checked the neutral start switch and everything apeard to be okay. Does anyone have a specific wiring diagram for this truck? I am going today to buy a new solenoid since the old one no longer will even work when jumped from the battery. After fiddling with it some I got the back lights in the gauges to work and the radio produced sound. The blower motor still won't cut on and none of the other gauges work.

 

I purchased a new solenoid today. When I put it on and wired it back in, i turned the key to the on position the truck tried to turn on by itself. What could be the issue now?

 

Had the same problem and it was the positive wires at the solenoid had carrodded so bad that it didn't work. Take some sand paper and clean the wirers.