recurring no-start

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May 21, 2015 | 09:15 AM

erupert66

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Mountain Pass

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recurring no-start

I have a '95 F150 with the 460. I have had this issue before but this time it doesn't appear cable-related. I have a full battery (battery is relatively new), and I have replaced the ground cable through the frame to the starter (previous issue) and cleaned up the connection for the short ground from battery to body (last no-start). Getting the same symptom - turn the key, "clunk" and the entire chassis goes dead. release the ground and reconnect and power in the chassis is back on. Took the neg connector off, wire brushed the strands, re-clamped it (had to replace my cable ends the last time I was having a problem). This time, it didn't help. Any other ideas?

May 21, 2015 | 10:24 AM

Mike1

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From: IL

Have you checked your positive cables also? What about the engine to frame ground by the firewall?

May 21, 2015 | 10:29 AM

erupert66

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1

Have you checked your positive cables also? What about the engine to frame ground by the firewall?

I did not check the engine to frame. I wasn't aware of that. There is a run from the starter to the frame and on to the battery. It's a special cable with the eyelet midway down to allow it to bolt to the frame. That is where it snapped off the first time it went dead.

May 21, 2015 | 12:12 PM

Mike1

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From: IL

Here's a pic of the ground blot, one of the other guys from this site has posted before.

May 21, 2015 | 12:29 PM

erupert66

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Thanks Mike. That looks like the the one I replaced. the previous post said "by the firewall" which threw me off and made me think there was another one.

May 21, 2015 | 12:38 PM

Mike1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by erupert66

Thanks Mike. That looks like the the one I replaced. the previous post said "by the firewall" which threw me off and made me think there was another one.

Usually there is a ground strap from the back of the head to the frame, but maybe they did it differently on the 460 engine. Do you have the ground to body connected also? should be the short wire off the neg batt terminal to the stud on your fender wall.

Sorry, I re-read your post you did the body gnd already. Ok you said you removed the terminals an cleaned the strands, put them back on and it started, but no it's happening again??, I'd say at this point pull some the plastic shieling back on the cable and see if the corrosion creeped, if it did, replace the cabled with new molded terminals.

May 24, 2015 | 06:37 AM

erupert66

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Looks like it was the positive cable this time. Grr Clipped the ends of the neg cable and put it back together and still no luck. took the positive side apart and it was all corroded so I wire brushed it and put it back together and we are back in business. I think I'll take them both apart and coat the strands in anti-corrosion jelly this weekend while they are still clean.