Can hot wire it but doesnt start
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Can hot wire it but doesnt start
i just bought my 78 f-150 Ranger and I'm not sure what is wrong with it. it doesn't start not even click over. what happenedwas I tried starting it one day and being stubborn as normal i kept turning it over till i melted the battery cable. so I bought a new cable and starter and starter solenoid and she still wont turn over think i might need a new starter cable also ?
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Can hot wire it but doesnt start
Jump 12 volts to the "S" terminal on the starter relay. If the starter turns it isnt the battery, battery wires, starter power wire, relay or the starter.
Next check for 12 volts at the small wire that goes to the "S" terminal. If no voltage start tracing back.....it goes to the ignition switch thru the neutral safety switch if you have an auto.
If the starter doesnt turn when you jump to the "S" terminal, jump the 2 large terminals together. If the starter turns it could be a dead relay.
Also make sure the relay mount bolts and the mount area are clean as they provide the ground to close the relay.
If the starter doesnt turn when you jump the 2 large terminals together try putting 12 volts right to the starter terminal. If the starter turns it is a bad power wire.
If it still doesnt turn remove the starter and get it checked. Just because it is new doesnt mean it is good. Also check to make sure the starer mount bolts are clean as they provide the ground for the starter.
Good luck.
Next check for 12 volts at the small wire that goes to the "S" terminal. If no voltage start tracing back.....it goes to the ignition switch thru the neutral safety switch if you have an auto.
If the starter doesnt turn when you jump to the "S" terminal, jump the 2 large terminals together. If the starter turns it could be a dead relay.
Also make sure the relay mount bolts and the mount area are clean as they provide the ground to close the relay.
If the starter doesnt turn when you jump the 2 large terminals together try putting 12 volts right to the starter terminal. If the starter turns it is a bad power wire.
If it still doesnt turn remove the starter and get it checked. Just because it is new doesnt mean it is good. Also check to make sure the starer mount bolts are clean as they provide the ground for the starter.
Good luck.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Can hot wire it but doesnt start
See the wiring harness that runs from the battery side of the starter relay ?
Well... follow that down and and unwrap the tape until you get to the fusible link that runs the igintion to see if it is melted.
Have you done all the electrical tests to the ignition system?
When you say you hot wire it.
What exactly are you doing...please explain?
Well... follow that down and and unwrap the tape until you get to the fusible link that runs the igintion to see if it is melted.
Have you done all the electrical tests to the ignition system?
When you say you hot wire it.
What exactly are you doing...please explain?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Can hot wire it but doesnt start
Sounds to me like a bad wire..... Get out the tester and start at the battery, and after you hit a dead end start at the first ground. Also Mil1ion, where is this fuseable link? Is it on the wires going from the voltage regulator? What color would it be on a 77 302 F-100?
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Can hot wire it but doesnt start
when i hotwire it i take a screw driver and touch it to the big and little bolt on the starter relay for it to turn over.
thanks for all the suggestions i appreaciate it ill let you all know how it went.
thanks for all the suggestions i appreaciate it ill let you all know how it went.
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New User
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Can hot wire it but doesnt start
Okay, so you aren't getting power through the Key (Ignition switch) to the S terminal on the starter relay when you turn the key to the start position.
Look through some related threads on here where Sparky made a list of everything you need to happen.
Meanwhile I'll go look for it to post here.
EDIT: That didn't take too long.
Here is the thread please read Sparky's list:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=114020
Look through some related threads on here where Sparky made a list of everything you need to happen.
Meanwhile I'll go look for it to post here.
EDIT: That didn't take too long.
Here is the thread please read Sparky's list:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=114020
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Can hot wire it but doesnt start
yes exactly i turn the key and there is nothing.
also is there a safty button for when you push in the clutch that might be worn i heard from a friend that they have put them in vehicles but not sure?
also is there a safty button for when you push in the clutch that might be worn i heard from a friend that they have put them in vehicles but not sure?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 654
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From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Can hot wire it but doesnt start
DING DING DING!!!!!!
Dont you hate it when you know what the problem is but you dont remember what you did to fix it?
The thing that reminded me of it was you said "~I turned it over untill the positive battery cable was melted "... I did the same thing.....
I had this same problem, but I didnt use a screwdriver to start the truck, I just fixed it....
It was on my voltage regulator, ... hang on let me skim through my book to find a picture and describe it ~
Ok... I didnt find a picture but I went out and took a look, you have a Positive Wire from your battery going to it and then you have 2 smaller wires, and then the thick wire that goes from your battery comes out of the opisite side and goes (to your starter), now the small wire closest to the front of the truck goes to your ignition, this wire on mine had a really bad connection, so somtimes it would work and somtimes it wouldnt.... I would have to go shake all of the wires to get it to turn over..... Finaly I got tired of it and found it and fixed it.... Easy fix, hope this was your problem too.! Good luck (eletrical can be a pain.... but with time and alot of cussing it gets fixed). Easy'st way to find the problem is to understand the system. Study up! Good luck
Dont you hate it when you know what the problem is but you dont remember what you did to fix it?
The thing that reminded me of it was you said "~I turned it over untill the positive battery cable was melted "... I did the same thing.....
I had this same problem, but I didnt use a screwdriver to start the truck, I just fixed it....
It was on my voltage regulator, ... hang on let me skim through my book to find a picture and describe it ~
Ok... I didnt find a picture but I went out and took a look, you have a Positive Wire from your battery going to it and then you have 2 smaller wires, and then the thick wire that goes from your battery comes out of the opisite side and goes (to your starter), now the small wire closest to the front of the truck goes to your ignition, this wire on mine had a really bad connection, so somtimes it would work and somtimes it wouldnt.... I would have to go shake all of the wires to get it to turn over..... Finaly I got tired of it and found it and fixed it.... Easy fix, hope this was your problem too.! Good luck (eletrical can be a pain.... but with time and alot of cussing it gets fixed). Easy'st way to find the problem is to understand the system. Study up! Good luck
Last edited by Racerdave; May 2, 2003 at 01:13 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 654
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From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Can hot wire it but doesnt start
Also, your truck may not have a neutral saftey switch... mine didnt..... I put a hole in my driveway one day when I tryed starting it by reaching through the window...
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Can hot wire it but doesnt start
It does but it wouldnt let me? it let me edit the first one once.. and that was it.... Also that looks nothing like the diagram for my 77? The Voltage regulator is where?
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