Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Electrical issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 6, 2017 | 11:40 PM
  #1  
DieselFNG's Avatar
DieselFNG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Red face Electrical issue

Hello All,

I'm having some electrical issues. I drove my truck the other day 80 miles and back with no issues. Now it won't start and I don't know why. Brand new batteries. Only a few months old. The cables are loose and I can't get them any tighter (corroded), but hasn't really been an issue. Dash lights, and wait to start comes on, but no fuel pump clicking sounds and no turn over.

1989 F250 XLT Lariat,7.3L IDI, 107,000 miles, automatic, non turbo.



Thank you
Robert
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 06:23 AM
  #2  
hturner12's Avatar
hturner12
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 9
From: Thomaston
If it is still stock it has a mechanical pump. Th3 click8ng is GP relay. We really need more info.
Does it turn over? Is the whole truck dead?.
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 11:28 AM
  #3  
ctbiodzl's Avatar
ctbiodzl
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: CT, USA
What does the dash mount voltmeter read?
Is the gauge within the NORMAL when trying to crank ( but w/o cranking ) ? -->[ NORMAL ]
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 12:47 PM
  #4  
madpogue's Avatar
madpogue
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Have you tried starting it in Neutral? Do you hear any click when you turn the key to START?
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 05:57 PM
  #5  
tecgod13's Avatar
tecgod13
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Originally Posted by DieselFNG
The cables are loose and I can't get them any tighter (corroded), but hasn't really been an issue
Actually sounds to me like this is your real issue.

If the cables are corroded, the batteries won't charge right, and then the truck won't start.

Replace your cables.
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
DieselFNG's Avatar
DieselFNG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hturner12
If it is still stock it has a mechanical pump. Th3 click8ng is GP relay. We really need more info.
Does it turn over? Is the whole truck dead?.
No it doesn't turn over. No, it still displays lights on the dash, and the door light. But not enough to turn over.

Originally Posted by ctbiodzl
What does the dash mount voltmeter read?
Is the gauge within the NORMAL when trying to crank ( but w/o cranking ) ? -->[ NORMAL ]
The voltmeter reads nothing it doesn't move. It doesn't even move in to the red.

Thanks
--Robert
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 04:43 PM
  #7  
ctbiodzl's Avatar
ctbiodzl
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: CT, USA
YOu should see dash voltmeter reading in the Run position.
Have you checked fuses?
Or tried tried bridging the starter solenoid from the big post that goes to + BATT to the small post? This should turn the starter.
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 05:20 PM
  #8  
tecgod13's Avatar
tecgod13
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Get a voltmeter, even a cheap harbor freight one would help. Check your battery voltage. Considering the dash one isn't working, either your batteries are dead, some wiring is crap, or fuse/fusible link broke. But we really can't help you anymore until you figure out if the batteries are charged, and replace the bad wiring you've already admitted is on the truck.

You may be able to get away with just replacing the terminals, but if they are corroded, chances are the cables are bad as well.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 05:52 PM
  #9  
DieselFNG's Avatar
DieselFNG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by madpogue
Have you tried starting it in Neutral? Do you hear any click when you turn the key to START?
Yes. No, Sounds of any kind.

Originally Posted by tecgod13
Actually sounds to me like this is your real issue.

If the cables are corroded, the batteries won't charge right, and then the truck won't start.

Replace your cables.
The cables being loose has never been an issue in the past.

Thanks
Robert
 
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 05:56 PM
  #10  
hturner12's Avatar
hturner12
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 9
From: Thomaston
With cables loose and corrodedo they can never get a full charge. Be prepared to buy 2 batteries and if you chose not to replace bad cables, you will be replac8ng batteries again real soon
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2017 | 05:25 AM
  #11  
DieselFNG's Avatar
DieselFNG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thank you all.

--Robert
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2017 | 05:45 PM
  #12  
DieselFNG's Avatar
DieselFNG
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
So I jumped it yesterday and drove it 40 miles and when I shut it down and went to restart it, it wouldn't start again. I tried it in neutral it still wouldn't start. The dash lights and everything come on but not enough to turn it over. It took a second jump to start it.

Driving the voltmeter was in the green almost in the middle. Strangely had more power than normal. Purred like a loud diesel kitten.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2017 | 07:03 PM
  #13  
madpogue's Avatar
madpogue
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Have you used an actual voltmeter to check the charging voltage while the engine is running? Have you load tested the batteries, and/or charged them with a charger? Have you done anything about the loose cable connections?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DieselFNG
General Diesel Discussion
0
Jun 6, 2017 08:28 PM
Doucheatron
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Nov 25, 2012 09:02 PM
W.O.T.PIMP
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Sep 6, 2006 11:58 AM
dlachance
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Nov 22, 2002 02:35 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:58 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE