Electrical problem
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Electrical problem
Does anyone have any idea why my truck refuses to start? I have an 86 f350 with the 460. I just replaced the alternator and the starter. It has a new battery but I have to jump it to get it to start. It turns over and then makes a grinding noise and it gets weaker and weaker. I jumped the solenoid and it clicks like it's supposed to. I've checked all the wires and they all look good.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
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Before changing any more parts, pour yourself some coffee and peruse this. It was written specifically for your situation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
Make sure the battery is fully charged before any testing. Most new batteries are not fully charged at the time of sale. I suggest hooking up an automatic charger overnight, something with at least a ten amp output. A trickle charger won't cut it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...w-starter.html
Make sure the battery is fully charged before any testing. Most new batteries are not fully charged at the time of sale. I suggest hooking up an automatic charger overnight, something with at least a ten amp output. A trickle charger won't cut it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
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From: St Albert, Alberta
Does anyone have any idea why my truck refuses to start? I have an 86 f350 with the 460. I just replaced the alternator and the starter. It has a new battery but I have to jump it to get it to start. It turns over and then makes a grinding noise and it gets weaker and weaker. I jumped the solenoid and it clicks like it's supposed to. I've checked all the wires and they all look good.
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From: Virginia
Does anyone have any idea why my truck refuses to start? I have an 86 f350 with the 460. I just replaced the alternator and the starter. It has a new battery but I have to jump it to get it to start. It turns over and then makes a grinding noise and it gets weaker and weaker. I jumped the solenoid and it clicks like it's supposed to. I've checked all the wires and they all look good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Tolland, CT
Can you give us more background on this truck, did you just buy the truck or have you owned it for along time ?
I hope you understand its not normal for all these things to go at once...
I hope you understand its not normal for all these things to go at once...
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You other guys okay? Kinda worried because the Battery Cable Bunch hasn’t chimed in yet and suggested replacing all of the cables just because. Hope you guys are well.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
You other guys okay? Kinda worried because the Battery Cable Bunch hasn’t chimed in yet and suggested replacing all of the cables just because. Hope you guys are well.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
The testing procedure may not even be needed and may just need a visual... If the battery is getting dragged down that much by the starter there will be visual clues as to where the fault is. It may not be the battery cables or electrical at all, hence the request for more information. No point just blindly shooting in the dark. So just take a chill pill you can't do proper diagnostics with out information or even pick a direction to go.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
You other guys okay? Kinda worried because the Battery Cable Bunch hasn’t chimed in yet and suggested replacing all of the cables just because. Hope you guys are well.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
A bit of unrequested and over-rated troubleshooting philosophy for the original poster: See the link in post #2. Begin with a fully charged battery and spend ten minutes with a voltmeter. This test will confirm if your new battery and existing cables are up to snuff. If not, the test will pinpoint the exact fault. If all good, the next step is to check the charging system, to make sure the battery is getting a proper charge.
We are good
If the battery cables look bad or of unknown age just replace them and never worry for a few more years
Listen to what they are saying on testing to find the weakest link
Dave ----
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And FWIW, I still have the original factory cables in my truck, still going strong 37 years later. I did replace the short cable between the battery and starter relay as a precaution due to a little external corrosion, but the others are still original.
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