Notices

79 cranking issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:21 PM
  #1  
79silverstreak's Avatar
79silverstreak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia, Cherokee
79 cranking issues

Hey yall,

I've just gotten finished building a 400 for my 79 f250. On attempt to start it, I had no power to the coil, fixed that, blown fuse. Only now I cannot get the starter to engage via ignition switch. Solenoid does not click, I can engage starter by arcing either sides of the solenoid/ bypassing, so starter is fine. What am I missing?

Thanks, James
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:23 PM
  #2  
m300diesel's Avatar
m300diesel
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Are you saying you bypassed the solenoid and the starter engaged? If that were the case I would say you have a bad starter solenoid. hmm. Blown fuse sounds like a issue I would look into also. Perhaps a short in the wiring that feeds to one of your ignition coils.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:27 PM
  #3  
79silverstreak's Avatar
79silverstreak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia, Cherokee
Oh, probably should mention a pack of wires, I believe three, could be four, has come loose from the transmission somewhere, No reverse lights on account of this. Could theses wires go to a gear/ neutral position sensor? Where do I need to hook these wires back up on the case?
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:28 PM
  #4  
79silverstreak's Avatar
79silverstreak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia, Cherokee
300 diesel,

Yes I am, in-order to start it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:39 PM
  #5  
m300diesel's Avatar
m300diesel
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
If it starts after jumping your starter solenoid than the solenoid is shot. which happens. Could you possibly take a picture of these hanging wires and do you by any chance own a chilton or hanes manual with a electrical diagram or your vehicle?
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:46 PM
  #6  
79silverstreak's Avatar
79silverstreak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia, Cherokee
After reading the post a couple down from mine, I'm fairly confident that theses loose wires must hook up to the neutral safety switch. The solenoid was brand new less than a year ago, it will key up the starter if you switch the little wires on it. I wish I cound take a picture, but do not own a camra, all the wires are hed together on a oddly shaped black plastic plug type deal, sort looks not whole.

Thanks for the help.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2013 | 09:59 PM
  #7  
m300diesel's Avatar
m300diesel
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Well bad wiring can most certainly cause issues like you are describing. Sometimes parts that were bought new can go bad fast due to manufacturing problems or defects. I have bought plenty of parts that were bad over the years. Does the vehicle start every time you jump the solenoid?

If you feel certain that the wires you have noticed look suspicious then I would definitely direct my attention away from the starter solenoid I suggested and back to those wires. Does anything look broken, taped, etc (by this I mean something that the original manufacturer wouldn't have done). Do you have a voltmeter? I own one I got at Napa for less than twenty dollars and has helped me out of many jams. Fluke brand is the best though.
 
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2013 | 05:24 PM
  #8  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,012
Likes: 2,750
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Go down on the side of the tranny, and see if you have two red/blue wires down there. If you find these, jump them together and see what happens. If you will notice, this same color wire is what goes to the solenoid small connection. These are the neutral safety wires.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Feb 6, 2013 | 07:51 PM
  #9  
79silverstreak's Avatar
79silverstreak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia, Cherokee
Four wires, two red/blue, and a white and a black, tired different combinations, red/blue to read/blue, ignition switch worked like it should. Thanks yall.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
triplecreek
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Aug 4, 2014 01:57 PM
cfassett87
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jun 25, 2012 08:49 AM
78BigBlock09
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Mar 30, 2010 02:48 PM
wporter4671
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
May 25, 2009 09:42 PM
rhrmusic
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Apr 30, 2006 12:02 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:06 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE