Electrical - Where do I even start?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 597
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From: Burke VA
Electrical - Where do I even start?
So my 76 has been sitting forever and now I'm trying to get it going again. Electrically this thing is a nightmare. I had a guy work on it while I was in Afghanistan - he got all the lights to work. But the blinkers come on sometimes or not at all. Brake lights will work when the lights are on but one wont when they're off - sometimes. 4 ways work sometimes but sometimes one of the lights wont flash. Instrument lights don't work at all.
I am not sure where to start here. For instance, if I look at a brake light that doesn't work, in the course of looking at it, it'll start to work. Then it wont.
I don't know where to start here - thinking of taking it to a shop at this point.
I am not sure where to start here. For instance, if I look at a brake light that doesn't work, in the course of looking at it, it'll start to work. Then it wont.
I don't know where to start here - thinking of taking it to a shop at this point.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
From: NW MINNESOTA
my advice is to first bang your head against the wall. then just take it one thing at a time. trace wires and get a good wire tester. and be patient. having someone else work on the truck he might have hooked up or crossed wires somewhere. make sure to clean grounds good. and also get a wire schematic so it makes it easier to just look at the color of the wire and determine what it is for.
edit: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...then-some.html post number 10 has the wire schematics on it.
edit: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...then-some.html post number 10 has the wire schematics on it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Take a deep breath....
The electrical system is made up of subsystems (circuits). Identify which circuits are malfunctioning. Study the wiring diagrams and identify the potential culprits. Sometimes they point to a common component.
Patience, a multimeter, and deductive reasoning is what ya need to employ. The typical problem usually involve the turn signal switch and headlight switch.... of course, hacked wiring my previous owners is also a possibility.
With the truck sitting so long, first look for corroded bulb contacts and bulbs that aren't seated correctly. Clean them, apply dielectric grease, and move on to the next upstream electrical component like a connector that is not fully seated. Verify that the component is grounded... it's amazing how many times I have found a grounding terminal with a loose screw.
Here are some simplified wiring diagrams for reference:
74-78 Wiring Diagram Pt1
74-78 Wiring Diagram Pt2
The electrical system is made up of subsystems (circuits). Identify which circuits are malfunctioning. Study the wiring diagrams and identify the potential culprits. Sometimes they point to a common component.
Patience, a multimeter, and deductive reasoning is what ya need to employ. The typical problem usually involve the turn signal switch and headlight switch.... of course, hacked wiring my previous owners is also a possibility.
With the truck sitting so long, first look for corroded bulb contacts and bulbs that aren't seated correctly. Clean them, apply dielectric grease, and move on to the next upstream electrical component like a connector that is not fully seated. Verify that the component is grounded... it's amazing how many times I have found a grounding terminal with a loose screw.
Here are some simplified wiring diagrams for reference:
74-78 Wiring Diagram Pt1
74-78 Wiring Diagram Pt2
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,095
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...se-read-2.html
Post #16 and 17 will get you off to a great start.
Post #16 and 17 will get you off to a great start.
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