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Old May 14, 2003 | 08:35 PM
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Question A short?

I own a 87 F150 5.0L and every so often my headlights, radio. door locks cigar lighter and maybe some other things just cut out. Sometimes after I hit a bump other times its just that way when I start her. Truck runs fine the whole time. What is it these have in commom besides the battery? Any ideas, I'm stumped.

Thanks
 
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Old May 14, 2003 | 08:37 PM
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A short?

A connection on the starter relay(large terminal on the battery side) feeds all these circuits. Also there may be a big plug on the firewall that may have worked loose, or gotten wet and corroded.
 
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Old May 15, 2003 | 06:48 PM
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A short?

It's probably a bad ignition switch. Does it have a positive return-to-RUN feel, or is it slow/loose? They're cheap & easy to change. Next time they go out, try wiggling the key back & forth to see if they kick on.
 
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Old May 15, 2003 | 10:36 PM
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A short?

Originally posted by steve83
It's probably a bad ignition switch. Does it have a positive return-to-RUN feel, or is it slow/loose? They're cheap & easy to change. Next time they go out, try wiggling the key back & forth to see if they kick on.
I didn't think the headlights went through the ignition switch.
 
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Old May 16, 2003 | 12:08 PM
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A short?

You're right - they don't.
 
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Old May 16, 2003 | 01:47 PM
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A short?

Mr Sluggercat, there's a small ground wire coming off the negative battery cable, that connects to the radiator surround. This is a ground for the headlights, but it may affect other circuits too. Make sure the connection is clean and tight.
 
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