HAVING TRANNY ELECTRICAL ISSUES!!!!!!
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
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From: North west Fl
HAVING TRANNY ELECTRICAL ISSUES!!!!!!
My 86 f150 with a 351w is running a C5 3 speed transmission. But I'm having an issue. Every time I put it in drive and hit the gas I lose ALL lights. head lights, tail lights, dash, and radio. But it's ONLY in drive 
. Reverse, neutral, or parked, I can hit the gas all day and nothing happens. I have ran out of ideas on what it could be 
. I need help in a BAD way. Any info could be useful. Thank y'all for reading this and thanks in advance for any comments I get.
. Reverse, neutral, or parked, I can hit the gas all day and nothing happens. I have ran out of ideas on what it could be . I need help in a BAD way. Any info could be useful. Thank y'all for reading this and thanks in advance for any comments I get.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
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From: North west Fl
I've tried a new alternator, fixed all wires I could find that were chaffed, new steering wheel cloumn, checked the head light switch, new speedometer cable (figured why the hell not), and gonna put a new instrument cluster in next week.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I would go investigate and probably clean the kinda thick wires on the Battery + side of the starter solenoid, all power comes from there.
When did this problem begin? My first thought is at the ignition switch on the column....
When did this problem begin? My first thought is at the ignition switch on the column....
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 60
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From: North west Fl
I honestly dont know when it started. I bought it when I was deployed and had my wife and our "mechanic" (very loose definition) all I was told was the radio cuts out. I already replaced the column and the wires are all new.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I'm not suggesting replacing the column, or replacing anything... I'm suggesting that might be a place to start your troubleshooting & diagnosis since there is electricity there that controls much of that stuff, and it's an opportunity to have messed something up to have created this problem.
We here are generally not ones to throw parts at problems and hope for a fix....
We here are generally not ones to throw parts at problems and hope for a fix....
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
I would check and see if the ground from the engine to the body is either loose or missing. The original ground cables on these trucks had a "flag" where it attached to the frame, them goes to the engine block. There is another smaller ground wire from the back of the driver's head to one of the wiper motor attaching bolts (the one with the stud).
BTW, you should have a C6 with a 351W.
BTW, you should have a C6 with a 351W.
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Junior User
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From: North west Fl
Hey y'all sorry I haven't replied sooner. Been on vacation, but I'm about to go recheck my ground wires and everything and make sure checks out again. Thank you for y'alls input on this. I dont like throwing parts at this either but I couldnt find any help or anyone who knew what was going on. And it's good to finally know what tranny I have too, it was sad whenever people asked me and I had no clue.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
C5 is a 'tweaked' for emissions C4, was not used behind 351W's. 300 I-6, anemic 255 and 302 only, trans pan has 11 bolt holes.
351W: Your truck should have a C6, Certification Label TRANS code K, trans pan has 17 bolt holes.
351W: Your truck should have a C6, Certification Label TRANS code K, trans pan has 17 bolt holes.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: North west Fl
Haha like I said, I had no clue what it had. I was over seas when my wife bought it and I'm trying to learn as I go. Someone told me it was prolly a C5 so thats what I went with
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Uh huh, 'Someone' is clueless. People back in the "Dark Ages" claimed the earth was flat and the moon was made of green cheese.Who would believe that hogwash today? Chris (ctubutis) maybe, no one else.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: North west Fl
Lol fair enough. Hey im trying to check my ground wires at the moment but the only wire coming off my block is going to my battery. Is that right or should it ground out to the frame as well? (Like I said learning as I go lol)
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
There should also be a black ground wire from the back of the driver's side cylinder head to the wiper motor mount. The wire in the circle is a 1986 ground lead. This was during the process of my conversion work so it is a 1990 wiper motor even though it is a 1986 F-350. The engine is a 460 so it is a bit bigger than your 351.
