Power/Starting Issue
I hopped in my 96 f150 inline 6 after parking it for a few hours and was having trouble turning it over. Sounded like the battery was dead although its brand new (4/14) and nothing was left on. I got a jump and as I diconnected the cables took the negative terminal with it. I guess it had been loose. I reconnected and jumped again, got in and realized nothing was working.. minus the engine.
I drove home without any lights or gauges, with the exception of ABS/E-Brake on. 2nd was a hard shift and the engine didn't even sound like it was on... but thankfully I was able to make it through Overtown (perhaps one of the most poverty ridden cities in America) and get to my house.
Nothing was powered minus the damn dinging for the door, and those gauges. Does it sound like a terminal/ground/fuse issues, alternator, or voltage regulator.
I never have problems starting her up, although the idle had been rough the initial few seconds, occasionally stalling out. I assumed it was the distributor cap and was gonna get to doing a tune up this weekend, but now I am thinking these two are connected.
Thoughts Gentleman
Check the grounds first, then check all the fuses. I had a bad battery in a 94 with the same engine fry the radio and a variety of other things when I tried to start it. Even though it is a new battery, check to be sure that it is good with a voltage meter and a load test. Not an expert, just my opinion based on past experience.



