hello all. I'm a new guy on here , long time Ford truck nut . I need some help with my 2003 E-450 Super Duty Box Truck. It won't start, have installed new starter which I had bench tested at auto parts store and it was shot. Installed new battery, which was not holding a charge. Still nothing at all, no gauges , no headlites, It started and ran for a few moments when I used my hot box . Someone told me to check my fusible link near my starter relay.I am not familiar with exact location or what to look for. Any help would be appreciated, as truck has been down for almst a week, let me add that I did check battery and it reads 12 volts and also checked all fuses. thanks Ang. oh , 6.8 Triton V-10

 

If it's the fusible link the truck won't start at all. So the fact that you can start it with a hot box rules out the fusible link.

With you gauges and headlights being out, it definitely sounds electrical in nature. Start checking your grounds and connections.

My wife's dodge did something similar, it was the PCM unfortunately. I don't think that's the case with yours, it sounds like something's mis-wired or shorting.

 

thank you sir. It was the ground on the newly installed starter. The ground wire was touching the starter body. As soon as I saw it, I realized I had looked right at it at least 2 or 3 times. Put battery back in and it fired right up . Thanks again. Angelo

 

Glad to hear it!!!!