Engine just died while driving?
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Engine just died while driving?
Ok, I jumped in my 76 f-100 earlier this evening and the battery was dead. I called a buddy to come jump it, which he did. The engine started right up and ran great. I let it idle for quite a while and then backed it out of the garage. I drove it about a mile when all of the sudden it started sputtering and and had zero power and then went completely dead. I pulled over and checked it out and everything seemed ok, except it won't start. It wont even turn over. I have power to my dome light and heater fan, and my headlights turn on, but it will not turn over. I tried the old farmer way to test the solenoid by jumping across the terminals, but it only sparked and wouldn't turn over. I don't know if a dead alternator would cause that or what? I ended up leaving it parked and having my wife come pick me up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Trailering
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
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From: Ogden, Utah
My '67 Comet did this to me in North Carolina once. It turned out that the battery simply died with out warning. Dropped a new battery in and away I went. My lights all worked but were very dim.
Another thing to check if you haven't; are to eyeball the wires going to your distributer and the engine ground. If that stuff goes bad sometimes your engine will simply putter to a stop.
Since it will not turn over; I would also suspect your starter. Or at least the power wire to the starter.
Just some ideas that might help you get moving.
Another thing to check if you haven't; are to eyeball the wires going to your distributer and the engine ground. If that stuff goes bad sometimes your engine will simply putter to a stop.
Since it will not turn over; I would also suspect your starter. Or at least the power wire to the starter.
Just some ideas that might help you get moving.
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Thanks for the ideas. I called a motor head buddy of mine and he seems to think it is the battery. Just for clarification, the battery is almost 7 years old and when I got out of the pickup after it died, I smelt a strange odor? My buddy said it was probably molten lead from the battery. My lights were very dim when I turned them on. Hopefully it's just a battery or alternator?
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Phoenix, AZ
If the battery is that old its time for a new one.
Replace it. If the wires coming off of it look old or dirty either replace or clean them, especially the ground.
If you have a multimeter or voltmeter, test what your alternator is putting out with the engine running by touching the posts of the battery with the positive and negative leads of your tester.
If you don't have either of those tools, then go to your local autozone or equivalent and ask them to test it for you. Its usually free.
Chances are its just your battery if its that old though.
Replace it. If the wires coming off of it look old or dirty either replace or clean them, especially the ground.
If you have a multimeter or voltmeter, test what your alternator is putting out with the engine running by touching the posts of the battery with the positive and negative leads of your tester.
If you don't have either of those tools, then go to your local autozone or equivalent and ask them to test it for you. Its usually free.
Chances are its just your battery if its that old though.
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Alright boys...I tested my battery and it was shot. I bought a new one and tossed it in. It fired right up, but as soon as I let go of the key, it died. So, I started the process of elimination. I changed my solenoid...nope. I changed my voltage regulator....nope. I changed my alternator....nope. I decided to check the connections of my ignition module and while doing so, I noticed a red wire had rusted through and broke off. I changed my ignition module and POW! She fired up and runs great. At least I've got a completely restored charging and ignition system now. Oh, and a bonus, my fuel and temp gauge started working again too. Amp and oil gauge still don't work tho. Oh well? Thanks for all the help guys.
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Black Diamond, Washington
Alright boys...I tested my battery and it was shot. I bought a new one and tossed it in. It fired right up, but as soon as I let go of the key, it died. So, I started the process of elimination. I changed my solenoid...nope. I changed my voltage regulator....nope. I changed my alternator....nope. I decided to check the connections of my ignition module and while doing so, I noticed a red wire had rusted through and broke off. I changed my ignition module and POW! She fired up and runs great. At least I've got a completely restored charging and ignition system now. Oh, and a bonus, my fuel and temp gauge started working again too. Amp and oil gauge still don't work tho. Oh well? Thanks for all the help guys.
Your process of elimination seems flawed, but at least you have a new charging system?
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