Ever hook jumper cables up backwards?
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Luxemburg WI
Ever hook jumper cables up backwards?
"Good samaritan" helping my nephew hooked the cables up backward when trying to jump his truck. 2005 F150 4x4 5.4 would not crank so a fella at work tried to help him out. After correcting the cables and a few more tries the truck started on its own without a jump after tapping the starter with a hammer a bit. Changed the starter the following day and the troubles got worse. Truck started and got him to work but would not start to come home. Charged up the battery and got home but would not start the next day. After an overnight charge, his truck started up and made it about a half-mile up the road and died. Now it won't even crank but the battery is full charge. If I was there I would test a whole bunch of things but I'm trying to help him out over the phone. Is there a main fuse or something I can point him to check? I'm hoping to get over to his place on Saturday but it would be nice to be armed with a plan of attack. Thanks All,
FTE Community Team
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So it was dead, then got a backwards jump? I think that's going to be a lot more than just a fuse or relay. First thing I'd suggest, if it can be started is check the voltage at idle. If less that 12 then something's wrong and further diagnosis is needed. If he's lucky it will just be a bad alternator.
We also don't know how old the battery is on this vehicle. If it is more than four years old in this case, it should be replaced.
We also don't know how old the battery is on this vehicle. If it is more than four years old in this case, it should be replaced.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Luxemburg WI
Also as it turned out it was not death at the time of the backwards jump. The starter was the original issue but when it wouldn't start they tried jumping. When it still wouldn't start I told him to tap on the starter. After tapping with a hammer the truck started without jumping. The starter was then changed that night. He was able to drive it but had to charge the battery in between trips. Now it died and no longer runs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
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Ok, so you've said the battery was changed but was the bad starter replaced? edit: apologies, you said in Post #4 starter was replaced. I'd still make sure starter is being told to crank, and if it was an AutoZone/O'Reilly reman near-immediate death ain't unheard of
I'd start standard diagnostics since the truck ran after being at 24V.
If batt is good and idiot lights come on, then figure out why starter isn't cranking. Is starter getting a command signal? Then if it cranks but no start check for spark & fuel, etc
I know you said you're not there to troubleshoot for him but I'm not sure pointing him to some magical silver bullet is the answer here? Unless I'm just not fully understanding the story?
The truck ran -- and sounds like it ran more than once? -- since the reverse jump so it's unlikely a fusible link or something burned up.
I'd start standard diagnostics since the truck ran after being at 24V.
If batt is good and idiot lights come on, then figure out why starter isn't cranking. Is starter getting a command signal? Then if it cranks but no start check for spark & fuel, etc
I know you said you're not there to troubleshoot for him but I'm not sure pointing him to some magical silver bullet is the answer here? Unless I'm just not fully understanding the story?
The truck ran -- and sounds like it ran more than once? -- since the reverse jump so it's unlikely a fusible link or something burned up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2016
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Yes I think there may be other problems in the no start before reverse polarity . Such as bad main battery leads or quality of starter. You may to see if hydro lock is a possiblity . If this is a salt country truck corrosion may be a big factor .
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Luxemburg WI
Ok. So to clarify the kinds of responses I was hoping for.
I don't have access to his owners manual so I was wondering what # fuses and amp ratings are the mains and what location to check. Under hood, under dash, etc. Is there a fusable link hidden between the battery tray and fender? Has anyone experienced this?
I asked him to pull the alternator and have it checked out at the local rebuild shop not the parts store. A-zone and the like won't check things like if the diode got fried. It'll still charge but also drain while sitting depending.
Thanks for the responses. I guess I will just have to start square one when I get there. Just sucks because no rebuild shop will be open Saturday. I'll have to make multiple trips. Closest shop is 45 min one way.
I don't have access to his owners manual so I was wondering what # fuses and amp ratings are the mains and what location to check. Under hood, under dash, etc. Is there a fusable link hidden between the battery tray and fender? Has anyone experienced this?
I asked him to pull the alternator and have it checked out at the local rebuild shop not the parts store. A-zone and the like won't check things like if the diode got fried. It'll still charge but also drain while sitting depending.
Thanks for the responses. I guess I will just have to start square one when I get there. Just sucks because no rebuild shop will be open Saturday. I'll have to make multiple trips. Closest shop is 45 min one way.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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downloadable pdf manual - nice because you can carry it with you on your phone and do searches
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../05f12og5e.pdf
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo.../05f12og5e.pdf
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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bad alternator will not keep it from starting............. FIRST, does it CRANK ? If so, then starter and neutral switch are OK.... If it wont START then you up to fuel and spark...... If no crank, then the battery power and starter are suspect... Jump straight to the starter will check it.. measure battery voltage when cranking.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: East Texas
You could pull the starter and use a known good battery to see if it spins. Use jumper cables and just touch the body of the starter with the ground cable. You might be able to get by using a 12v lawn mower type battery since it won't be under load.
If it spins, try it with the battery from the truck .
That might narrow it down to the starter or battery.
If truck battery makes it spin, check for burned/bad cables. It could be that the backward jump fried some cables and they held on for a couple of days before going completely bad.
I've got an 08 and I'll put what I can from my owners manual on here tomorrow.
Make sure you secure the starter while it is out of the truck for testing. Bench vise if available.
If it spins, try it with the battery from the truck .
That might narrow it down to the starter or battery.
If truck battery makes it spin, check for burned/bad cables. It could be that the backward jump fried some cables and they held on for a couple of days before going completely bad.
I've got an 08 and I'll put what I can from my owners manual on here tomorrow.
Make sure you secure the starter while it is out of the truck for testing. Bench vise if available.
FTE Community Team
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