Wiring help
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Northern KY
Wiring help
Recently purchased a 1986 f250 460. I've had the unfortunate experience of finding a rats nest of wiring the PO has made under the dash. The real problem here is that the truck can't be driven because the brake lights and turn signals don't work. Given the severity of the mess, I thought I could buy a new wiring harness and re-wire it, but LMC wants $640 for a generic harness.
I can't seem to justify that expense for a farm truck, but I also want the truck in good working order. I'm not an electronics expert but I'd welcome ideas for alternatives.
Seems that there aren't many older f250s at the local pick and pull salvage yards.
I can't seem to justify that expense for a farm truck, but I also want the truck in good working order. I'm not an electronics expert but I'd welcome ideas for alternatives.
Seems that there aren't many older f250s at the local pick and pull salvage yards.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
buy a haynes manual, flip to the back, trace the wires with colored pencils that loosely represent the colors they say they are, then find them under the dash and figure out where your problem is. Might just be the turn signal flasher too, have you replaced it?
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I have a similar situation right now.
My truck keeps popping the fuses (1&5) for the brakes and turn signals.
Though our wiring is different year to year, the problem might be the same one.
I am posting to subscribe this thread, and will let you know what I find.
My truck keeps popping the fuses (1&5) for the brakes and turn signals.
Though our wiring is different year to year, the problem might be the same one.
I am posting to subscribe this thread, and will let you know what I find.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Northern KY
I ordered the Haynes manual over the weekend. Should be here any day. I have power at the fuse block on all fuses. The parking lights and headlights are working. I saw the hazardsashing briefly when I was messing with that switch, but now it's not working. This leads me to believe the relays are fine. So there must be a bad connection in the steering column or under the dash. The PO changed the column because the tilt wheel broke.
Guess I just need a whole lot of time an a tester.
Guess I just need a whole lot of time an a tester.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
the brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights all run through the turn signal switch, and i've heard of that switch failing and knocking out all of them. thats where i would start looking.
jim, seeing that you're popping both fuses, i would suspect you have a problem somewhere further back, likely a short to ground in the trailer light wiring. but follow the whole harness and look for and damage.
jim, seeing that you're popping both fuses, i would suspect you have a problem somewhere further back, likely a short to ground in the trailer light wiring. but follow the whole harness and look for and damage.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Since you messed with the hazard switch and something happened, take the hazard switch and work it up and down rapidly 6 or 7 times and see what happens.
And also don't forget, these trucks are famous for the keyswitch not returning to the proper position after the engine is started. After you start the engine, lightly wiggle the key back and forth and see what happens. This will usually affect the wipers and the guages, but can also affect other circuits.
And also don't forget, these trucks are famous for the keyswitch not returning to the proper position after the engine is started. After you start the engine, lightly wiggle the key back and forth and see what happens. This will usually affect the wipers and the guages, but can also affect other circuits.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
my experience with the ignition switch wiggle is that it only affects circuits that are switched by the key. that means it won't affect brake lights or hazard lights, but will affect turn signals, gages, wipers, etc.
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
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The EVTM is FAR superior to a Haynes or Chilton manual
1986 Ford Bronco and F150 F250 F350 Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
1986 Ford Bronco and F150 F250 F350 Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cliffs750
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Aug 26, 2015 10:11 AM
Farminwithmyford
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Mar 10, 2015 06:51 PM
myklstrng
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Oct 22, 2010 11:53 PM
96brco
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
4
Jun 26, 2006 09:41 AM