I've got a myriad of wiring issues on my 81 F150 that seem to go in and out. I'm going to try to make this as explanatory as possible.

1) Charging system - I replaced the battery (bad cell) and alternator. When I wired the alternator the first time I foolishly listened to the AZ guy and he told me I must have a ground. Brand new fried battery later, I looked into the Haynes manual wiring diagram and the connectors go to the Field, Stator and Battery. The wiring diagram shows Orange (Field), White/Black (Stator), Black/Orange (Battery). I do have 1 wire that matches the diagram color coding which is the White/Black. The other two are both Black/Orange, one being a heavier gauge and one having an orange cap connector. So as of the past two days I have had a charge but time will tell. The diagram off Haynes for my year is a bit deceptive as the wiring doesn't exactly convey what's going on out in the truck. Before I put in the new battery I did notice that wire with fusible link coming off the "S" terminal of the starter solenoid was disconnected. I got a new one and soldered it together. Other than frying another battery, Do I need to trace the alternator wires to the regulator to find out which black/orange goes to where?

2) Rest of wiring - Everything else seems to work when it wants to. I'm just curious of where someone with more experience would start on this barrel of monkeys. I was thinking a rewire would be beneficial as some of the engine bay wiring seems like its been scorched by the engine and a couple of exposed wires here and there, but a lot of the noticeable issues are within the cab. Right blinker indicator in cluster will blink (sort of) sometimes, left never has. Gauge backlighting works sometimes (very dim). No chimes. Radio works. Left brake light activates when left blinker is activated. Left blinker doesn't blink, just brighter brake light. Right blinker works. Wiper delay box (not sure if that was an option for the xlt or aftermarket) was plugged directly to the fuse box with spade terminal, I unplugged it. I know I can start with the grounds but beyond that, just from the wiring diagram, it looks like someone might have done some "work" on it previously.

You guys have been a great help thus far, I really appreciate it.

 

Lets start with the ALT, REG and it's wiring because if we don't have a good charge on the battery nothing will work right.
Disconnect the neg. batt cable before go checking / pulling on wires or opening a harness. Don't want to short out anything and cause a fire.

I don't know if the wire colors match but you should be able to follow them to see if they go to the right places.


You did not say what motor you have as some of the ground wiring could be different.
As a rule from battery NEG to motor, motor to frame, motor to body or frame to body or battery to body.
Don't forget the ground for the bed to frame or tail lights may not work right.
Any ground that is in place remove/unbolt and clean the cable / wire end and where it bolts to with sand paper to bare metal before putting it back together again.

On my 81 F100 w/ 300 six the L O N G ground cable goes from battery to frame (tab bolted to frame) on down to a bolt on the starter. That takes care of frame & motor.
Stock I also have a 8ga cable from motor to fire wall and a braided cable from fire wall to hood. I have not done anything with my flare side bed for wiring yet but will run a wire from it to the frame.

Hope that will get you charged LOL if not post back.
Once you have the charging system working post back in here on the next issue you want to fix and we will help.
Dave ----