Losing all power when starting
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Losing all power when starting
Good afternoon, think this is my first post. Always search first, but this time I am needing some help. When I go to try and start my truck all I get is a single click and then all power is gone. No radio, headlights nothing. I can go out and disconnect the battery and try again and everything comes back on but as soon as i try and start it again same deal.
I have had the battery and the starter tested, both fine. Even took the battery out of my Jeep and tried that with the same result. I have replaced the starter solenoid on the fender wall, the ignition switch on the column and the key cylinder as well. I also added a new ground from the starter solenoid to the block. Not sure what else to try so asking for ideas here. I didn't see any loose grounds, but maybe I am missing one.
Truck is a 1984 F150 regular cab with a 302 v8 no EFI and manual 4 speed transmission. No power window, locks or any of that.
Thanks guys.
I have had the battery and the starter tested, both fine. Even took the battery out of my Jeep and tried that with the same result. I have replaced the starter solenoid on the fender wall, the ignition switch on the column and the key cylinder as well. I also added a new ground from the starter solenoid to the block. Not sure what else to try so asking for ideas here. I didn't see any loose grounds, but maybe I am missing one.
Truck is a 1984 F150 regular cab with a 302 v8 no EFI and manual 4 speed transmission. No power window, locks or any of that.
Thanks guys.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Welcome to FTE
Because the truck is 36+ years old just replace ALL the battery cables.
You should have 3
1 from battery NEG to engine block, this is the ground.
1 from battery POS to the starter solenoid
1 from solenoid to starter.
I would add a cable from engine to frame and a heavy gauge, 10 ga, from engine to firewall.
But it sounds like 1 of the cables does not have a good connection like the ground at the engine?
Dave ----
Because the truck is 36+ years old just replace ALL the battery cables.
You should have 3
1 from battery NEG to engine block, this is the ground.
1 from battery POS to the starter solenoid
1 from solenoid to starter.
I would add a cable from engine to frame and a heavy gauge, 10 ga, from engine to firewall.
But it sounds like 1 of the cables does not have a good connection like the ground at the engine?
Dave ----
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Something to check - make sure the motor itself isn't locked up for whatever reason, see that it will turn over (in the clockwise direction) using a socket and extension on the crank balancer with reasonable force. It does sound like the cables and grounds are lunched, though, from the symptoms you describe.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 1,174
Here you go, written special just for your situation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1440749-voltage-drop-testing-how-to-fix-that-slow-starter.htm
Five minutes with a meter and it will pinpoint the exact location of the fault. From your symptoms, it sounds like a bad battery cable that lets some current through, but choked under the massive load of the starter.
Make sure your battery is fully charged before any troubleshooting. I highly recommend connecting a charger overnight. A trickle charger won't cut it. You'll want an automatic charger with at least a ten amp output.
You mentioned you've already replaced the starter relay. Some aftermarket brands are nothing but trouble, with dismal reliability. You may want to consider one of the better brands listed here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...i-mean-it.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1440749-voltage-drop-testing-how-to-fix-that-slow-starter.htm
Five minutes with a meter and it will pinpoint the exact location of the fault. From your symptoms, it sounds like a bad battery cable that lets some current through, but choked under the massive load of the starter.
Make sure your battery is fully charged before any troubleshooting. I highly recommend connecting a charger overnight. A trickle charger won't cut it. You'll want an automatic charger with at least a ten amp output.
You mentioned you've already replaced the starter relay. Some aftermarket brands are nothing but trouble, with dismal reliability. You may want to consider one of the better brands listed here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...i-mean-it.html
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Well, I changed all the cables for the battery, everything is now new. Still the same deal, but now the ground cable from the battery gets very hot when I try to start the truck. I put all the new cables back exactly as the old ones were. I broke out my voltmeter and am getting 12v from the battery and the starter solenoid to the positive battery terminal as well. After I try to start I get almost nothing volt wise from that. But the battery still shows 12v. Math and electricity.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 1,174
Please go back to post #6. Follow the first link. Relinked here for your convenience, any one of these should work:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
The test is written expressly, specifically, pinpointedly, laser beamly (yes that's now a word) for your exact condition. You don't even have to understand how it works. Just hook up the meter exactly as described and you will have an answer.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
The test is written expressly, specifically, pinpointedly, laser beamly (yes that's now a word) for your exact condition. You don't even have to understand how it works. Just hook up the meter exactly as described and you will have an answer.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
So the motor will not turn over?
Did this just happen like overnight?
If you put a socket on the crank bolt will it turn over then?
If it will not turn over by hand you have other issues going on
Dave ----
Did this just happen like overnight?
If you put a socket on the crank bolt will it turn over then?
If it will not turn over by hand you have other issues going on
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
The truck is my backup second ride. I sometimes don't drive it for a few weeks if I don't have a reason or it's over 95 degrees here. No A/C. I am in school so I can only spend so much time going over it all. I will for sure follow that guide that was posted, but right now I am doing a few classes and we are coming up on a big statistics test. Been 35 years since I did a math class, so I am gripping. I thank everyone for the help and advice. So much for having an easy to work on and fix ride.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Starting
I am sorry for the late reply, but I followed the guide that was provided and was able to get my truck running again. So thankful for all the advice and help. School has had me busy but I needed my truck running for my piece of mind. Again thank you all for the help dudes. Always know where to come for assistance.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Starting
I am sorry for the late reply, but I followed the guide that was provided and was able to get my truck running again. So thankful for all the advice and help. School has had me busy but I needed my truck running for my piece of mind. Again thank you all for the help dudes. Always know where to come for assistance.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
302flareside1992
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
28
Feb 15, 2014 08:05 AM
drewduncan15
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Aug 4, 2012 11:14 AM
73-79owner
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Apr 19, 2006 10:22 PM