MELT DOWN
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
MELT DOWN
well my truck tried to burn up the other day. the fuseable link on the battery side of the starter solonoid is melted and i was told smoke came out from under the dash. uncle said he started the truck it ran for a little bit the just died. they smelled smoke the hired man got out and unhooked the battery. i replaced the alternater harness with a diffent one cause the one on the truck was missing the fuseable link. now this happens. i havent really had the time to look at it. any ideas where to start thanks guys.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Did you replace the harness before the burn out, or after? Sounds like it could have either been incompatible with your truck's original wiring or was hooked up wrong.
There are a bunch of different alternator wiring harnesses. One of the big differences is between gauge and idiot light harnesses.
There are a bunch of different alternator wiring harnesses. One of the big differences is between gauge and idiot light harnesses.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I would say you need to look at the dash first and address whatever the problem was with that then go to the alternator harness. You can get replacement fusible links, you don't have to replace the entire harness unless something else in it is burnt also.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Not really, try around the ignition switch or light switch then around the fuse block, but the problem could be anywhere in the harness.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
If you smoked the wiring in your dash enough to drop a fusible link; that entire harness has to come out for a teardown and inspection. Most likely the new harness was installed incorrectly, or there is some year-to-year difference in some piece somewhere that caused the issue.
It takes a LOT of current to blow through a fusible link, so expect to find some nasty goo in that harness. The issue is most likely located around the heavy stuff coming in and out of the ignition switch, or to the headlight switch. Lighter-gauge wiring doesn't usually take out a fusible link unless there are multiple circuits in parallel that are cooking, which also should not happen unless some fatal mistake is made.
It takes a LOT of current to blow through a fusible link, so expect to find some nasty goo in that harness. The issue is most likely located around the heavy stuff coming in and out of the ignition switch, or to the headlight switch. Lighter-gauge wiring doesn't usually take out a fusible link unless there are multiple circuits in parallel that are cooking, which also should not happen unless some fatal mistake is made.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
must be year to year or something under the dash wasnt right to begin with. i had no fusible link in the harness for the alternator at all thats why i put the different harness in to just solve the hack job under the hood. next question is who makes a replacement if anyone does? this just kinda sucks i was hoping to get the d 60 im getting up front rebuilt and redo the rear axle also dont do any good if the truck wont run. thanks for your help everyone. when i know what im facing ill let ya know.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1
ok got to look at the truck today noticed while in a hurry to get the truck running the red teminal on the alternator was touching the alternator itself. im thinking maybe this is why the fusable link melted. so maybe i can swap the harness with one i got last week and put the truck back in service. any thoughts?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
ok got to look at the truck today noticed while in a hurry to get the truck running the red teminal on the alternator was touching the alternator itself. im thinking maybe this is why the fusable link melted. so maybe i can swap the harness with one i got last week and put the truck back in service. any thoughts?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Queueball
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Feb 15, 2013 08:53 PM
facotaco
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 18, 2011 01:09 PM
davidsca
Electrical Systems/Wiring
5
Apr 11, 2006 08:12 PM
