Transposed positive and negative charge
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3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Transposed positive and negative charge
Hey All,
Not a mechanic at all and just got my late Grandpa's 67 F-100 pick-up and was looking to start working on it since I figured even I could fix some of the immediate items like brakes and etc. Well I'm starting off with a bang... I put a batter charger on the existing battery but after a day it still didn't give it enough power so got a new battery... As I was putting the battery in, wasn't paying attention and just put the new battery in with the mounts on the same side as the old and I swapped the negative and positive charge and saw a nice little puff of smoke come up from under one of the belts.
I still tried to start it, the starter is attempting to kick-over but no bueno on it turning over. I don't know if it's a basic issue such as the carburetor but where do I start? I figured it was a good sign that at least the solenoid and starter seem to be working but I could be making a mistake assuming that. The Truck was also sitting for roughly 5 years and did run with a jump long enough to get on the trailer to bring home.
Not a mechanic at all and just got my late Grandpa's 67 F-100 pick-up and was looking to start working on it since I figured even I could fix some of the immediate items like brakes and etc. Well I'm starting off with a bang... I put a batter charger on the existing battery but after a day it still didn't give it enough power so got a new battery... As I was putting the battery in, wasn't paying attention and just put the new battery in with the mounts on the same side as the old and I swapped the negative and positive charge and saw a nice little puff of smoke come up from under one of the belts.
I still tried to start it, the starter is attempting to kick-over but no bueno on it turning over. I don't know if it's a basic issue such as the carburetor but where do I start? I figured it was a good sign that at least the solenoid and starter seem to be working but I could be making a mistake assuming that. The Truck was also sitting for roughly 5 years and did run with a jump long enough to get on the trailer to bring home.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 739
Likes: 256
From: Zimmerman, MN
What does this mean, exactly:
Is the starter turning the engine over, or no? IOW, is the engine cranking?
As for the "magic smoke" you let out of the alternator, this shouldn't stop the engine from turning over/cranking.
Best to deal with just one thing at a time here.
Jim
As for the "magic smoke" you let out of the alternator, this shouldn't stop the engine from turning over/cranking.
Best to deal with just one thing at a time here.
Jim
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3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Hey Jim,
The engine will crank but won't turn over. So far I've drained the fuel and replaced it, added some coolant and going to change the oil over the weekend. I'm seeing some other items I should do too such as changing plugs and wires but does that path sound right?
The engine will crank but won't turn over. So far I've drained the fuel and replaced it, added some coolant and going to change the oil over the weekend. I'm seeing some other items I should do too such as changing plugs and wires but does that path sound right?
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 739
Likes: 256
From: Zimmerman, MN
I think there's some confusion here, as "cranking" and "turning over" are the same thing, as far as I'm concerned.
But I think I understand what you're trying to say: The engine is cranking, but it's not firing.
Which leads me to ask: Have you checked for spark?
You crossed the battery connections when you replaced the battery, and that could have caused any number of issues with the electrical system. Don't worry, there's nothing there that can't be fixed, but changing fluids and what not isn't going to solve anything. You need to concentrate on what may, or may not, have been damaged when you let the smoke out "from under one of the belts".
Disconnect the battery (both cables), loosen-up or remove the alternator, and inspect the wiring that connects to the back of it. And not just the connections but the entire wire loom. The truck will run without the alternator, but if you melted some of those wires, or if they are crossed, burnt, or grounded, it could cause you all sorts of grief.
Find the cause (location) of your "smoke" first, fix it, and then worry about trying to start it.
But I think I understand what you're trying to say: The engine is cranking, but it's not firing.
Which leads me to ask: Have you checked for spark?
You crossed the battery connections when you replaced the battery, and that could have caused any number of issues with the electrical system. Don't worry, there's nothing there that can't be fixed, but changing fluids and what not isn't going to solve anything. You need to concentrate on what may, or may not, have been damaged when you let the smoke out "from under one of the belts".
Disconnect the battery (both cables), loosen-up or remove the alternator, and inspect the wiring that connects to the back of it. And not just the connections but the entire wire loom. The truck will run without the alternator, but if you melted some of those wires, or if they are crossed, burnt, or grounded, it could cause you all sorts of grief.
Find the cause (location) of your "smoke" first, fix it, and then worry about trying to start it.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
As other have said, I would concentrate on all wiring under the hood first as well as in the cab under the dash. There are a few fusible links that may have blown as a protective measure. I would also inspect the condenser in the distributor as that may have blown as well. With time and patience, this should be quite an easy repair in the grand scheme of things. An engine needs spark, fuel, compression and air to run.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Hey Jim and 72Longboy,
Thanks you for understanding my jargon and spot on RE the engine turning and not firing.
That makes sense to me, I was doing stuff that I felt I could comprehend and lost my logical train of thought. I'll pull the alternator this weekend and give it a good look over and follow the wires and check the end components. I also ordered a shop manual so I'm looking forward to diving in and hopefully start fixing more things that I'm breaking!
Thanks you for understanding my jargon and spot on RE the engine turning and not firing.
That makes sense to me, I was doing stuff that I felt I could comprehend and lost my logical train of thought. I'll pull the alternator this weekend and give it a good look over and follow the wires and check the end components. I also ordered a shop manual so I'm looking forward to diving in and hopefully start fixing more things that I'm breaking!
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