Hello,
I have a F-150 1989 manual transmission which will not start. When I turn the key to the on position, the electrons come on, (wind shield wipers, dash lights, headlights). Then when I try to start everything dies and nothing will come on at all. If I let the truck sit for a few minutes, I can put the key in the on position and get the electrons back. Before the truck stopped starting, I had trouble with the heater and the turn signals. Sometimes the turn signals would go out along with the heater. I have replaced the battery and after the truck died I had the battery checked and it is still good. I believe that it is a problem with the wiring. However, I don't have enough experience to find it. What should I be looking for?

 

You replaced the battery, but did you clean the inside of the battery cables where they hook onto the battery posts? Believe it or not that could be your problem. If not there, check the connection on the ground cable and also the other end of the positive cable where it hooks to the solenoid. Make sure everything tightens up properly.

If you don't find the problem there, one of the battery cables must be shorting internally.

 

Sounds like cable ends are bad and/or the cables themselves. Check all of them, at battery and also at their remote locations.

 

Thanks 88n94 and '89F2urd. I clean off the battery terminals, checked the cables connections and hooked everything back up. The truck started on the first try and on my next three tests. It looks like I will be replacing the negative cable which runs to the solenoid, (it quite worn). But now I can drive to the auto parts store instead of biking.