When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After getting my engine and transmission rebuilt, I put my 72 f250 back together and it runs great. However when it is idling if I turn the headlights on the truck will die, or to keep it running I have to give a lot more gas. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I have no idea why that would happen.
It sounds like a charging system problem. The system should hold 13-13.5 volts at idle with the lights on. It may be dropping so low the ignition can't operate correctly.
Do you have the timing set right? Sounds like it's running retarted.
Put a volt meter on the power to the coil and see if the headlights are dropping the coil voltage. If you have an amp meter measure what your head lights are pulling too.
When it is running at idle, try unplug the sockets on the headlights. See if it dies.
Sometimes the filiments in the headlights proves a ground path, that should be provided by ground wires.
You might be missing needed grounding wires.
Jim
What about the connections and the power coming through to the ignition coil?
I'd check the voltage at the back of the headlamp switch and the coil
Your headlight switch may be shorting out and bringing the system voltage down
I'd also check the voltage at the coil positive terminal to verify what's happening
So I checked the voltage at the coil and I have 12 volts. I did discover, however, that any time I flip on anything electrical, lights, wipers, radio, flashers; there is a hesitation, or a hiccup with the engine. The more power it draws the bigger the hesitation. And as I said before if I don't rev the engine when I turn on the lights it will die. Any other ideas or theories are welcome.
Your 72 has points or Duraspark?
Sounds like something is dragging your electrical syatem down
Could be a short
Could be a bad ground
Voltage drop on a few wires and check every ground and its wire condition
Voltage drop can happen in ground wires too
You can use jumper cables as temporary grounds and test it again
Your coil is staying right at 12v when the dying occurs?
How about the power into the distributor if a Duraspark?
Here is a diagram of a Duraspark from a tester I have 1 of
Well, sounds like you have a lot going on.
1) If you have the stock ignition system, (points and condenser) you should only have about 8 Volts at the coil. The power feed should be through a resistor wire. I think you need to see where you are getting your Coil Feed from.
2) What is your idle set to? If its too low that can cause an issue.
Turns out that my alternator was bad. That fixed the problem. It was putting out 13.3 volts but once you put a load on it, it failed. Got it tested at a parts store. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
