7.3 Dead Dead

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Feb 10, 2014 | 11:36 PM

510galaxy

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Cross-Country

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 76

Likes: 3

From: SoCal

7.3 Dead Dead

Hi folks, I hate to start out this way, but I need some advice. I just went out to start my 1997 F250 7.3, but no luck. The truck has 150k and the batteries are six months old. I drove the truck just fine yesterday for two hours, no problems. When I energized the ignition all the normal lights came on and I waited for the glow plug lights to go out, the starter kicked over for a second then everything went dead- no interior lights, no dash lights, nada.

I don't yet have a service manual for this truck and I don't know my way around it yet. Has anyone had this issue? I'm thinking a blown relay or main fuse, any ideas? Thanks!

Feb 11, 2014 | 05:37 AM

427 fordman

Hotshot

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 10,408

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From: Plankinton, SD

Welcome to fte. First thing to do would be to check all your battery connections and your grounds.

Feb 11, 2014 | 06:36 AM

fordpride

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 15,505

Likes: 18

From: Livoina,La

That sounds like a bad connection

Feb 11, 2014 | 07:24 AM

1994F2507.3L

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 2,227

Likes: 149

From: Higginsville, MO

Im with the two guys above had this happen to me about a month ago, bad battery connections, i was searching all over for a blown fuse or broken wire only to causally glance at my corroded battery connections several hours later and go SOAB thats it right there! cleaned them up and good as new!

Feb 11, 2014 | 07:58 AM

madpogue

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 8,476

Likes: 37

From: Madison, WI

Turn the key off and back on again. If the WTS light, etc. come on, it's not a blown fuse. As said, bad connection, or possibly a bad starter.

Automatic or manual transmission?

Feb 11, 2014 | 05:13 PM

pilgrimbizket

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 855

Likes: 5

From: Central Oregon

+1 Bad terminal connection, happened to me 2 weeks ago, on a hunting trip out of state. Living in southern California has spoiled me I was in idaho it was 8° and being underneath the, hood I've never moved so quick. First time driving in snow to!

Feb 12, 2014 | 02:02 AM

510galaxy

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 76

Likes: 3

From: SoCal

Thanks for the info folks, I'll start checking the connections.

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Feb 17, 2014 | 12:31 AM

510galaxy

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 76

Likes: 3

From: SoCal

I started by charging each battery individually, the first was fine but the second seemed iffy as the charger instantly dove below the scale and I realized something was up. I took both back to the store I purchased them and they confirmed that the second battery was indeed faulty after only six months. ( Bosch batteries). Thank God that's all it was!

I cleaned the terminals, ( I also took the opportunity to wire brush and apply rust converter to my battery trays) lubed the connections and the truck fired right up. Thanks again for the suggestions!