electrical gremlin??
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Washington State
electrical gremlin??
I have a 1974 f 100, 4x4, 390. I just got this truck 2 summers ago. I am in the process of getting it roadworthy. It seemed to run fine “idling” (because it’s not ready to be driven yet) but then one day I decided to drive it down the road, I got about a block away and it was running terrible, like it had no power and was running super rough, then it quit running all together just shut off. I turned it over it wouldn’t start and the battery was getting low. So I pulled another car up to it and jumped it, it started right up, got it home turned it off it wouldn’t start??? After it sat a while it fired up?? So I figured it was the original brain box. So I found a deal on a pro billet dist and an msd 6a. I hooked it up truck fired right up, and I thought all was good then the next day after I turned it off it wouldn’t start? The next day it started? I put a new volt reg, msd blaster coil on, new battery wires etc. and it still did this I even switched coils it wouldn’t start. After it decided to start again it worked with both coils I have?? Also the ignition switch was replaced. I would appreciate any ideas on what is going on. Thanx
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Powell Wyoming
and i take it you also checked to make sure the alternator is good and even though you replaced the battery wires...did you check to make sure that the battery wire that actually connects to the bottom of the block is connected right and not loose(it happened to me when i first got my truck i didnt notice it until i started tuggin on wires and low and behold that dirty ground wire was loose LOL!
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Round Rock, TX
I would start from scratch and check every wire at both ends going from the solenoid to the engine and ignition. Is it charging when it is running? Dirty connections can cause alot of resistance. Did you see if you have voltage to the regulator when the key is in the run position?
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From: Farmington, MO
If you think it could be an ignition issue, go out at night and start the truck. With the hood raised, watch for any sparks jumping around from your plug wires / plug area. Having someone rev the engine while you watch might also help chase it down. Any sparky type gremlin just might show up in the dark.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 142
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From: Round Rock, TX
If you think it could be an ignition issue, go out at night and start the truck. With the hood raised, watch for any sparks jumping around from your plug wires / plug area. Having someone rev the engine while you watch might also help chase it down. Any sparky type gremlin just might show up in the dark.
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