1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Intermittent electrical problem

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Old 03-29-2004, 09:00 PM
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Intermittent electrical problem

Hi,
I have an intermittent electrical problem on my 82 f150. Occasionally when I start-up I don't have turn signals or blower motor. Sometimes my fuel and temp gauge read zero, and also I blew a fuse for the horn/cigarette lighter (I heard the fuse pop right after I started up). Although the indicators and blower motor are on separate circuits I noticed in the wiring diagram that the hot side of both fuses are common. Does this type of problem sound familiar to anyone, I'm thinking ignition switch, but I can't replicate the problem when I'm trouble shooting .
Thanks
 
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Old 03-30-2004, 12:03 AM
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I see three of us with similar problems. See "Bad Ignition Switch?" by jdon88 & my thread "83 Crankshaft Sensor"
 
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Old 03-30-2004, 10:51 AM
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My 84 has a simular problem its the switch, next time you see a problem rotate the ignition switch counterclockwise a little.
 
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Old 03-30-2004, 11:28 AM
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Thanks For The Response! The Ign. Switch Is Going To Be My Next Thing To Try. If That Doesn't Get It For Me, Then I'm Going To Get Into The Primary Wiring & Vacuum Hoses, Per Responses To My Thread "83 Crankshaft Sensor"
 
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Old 03-30-2004, 11:33 AM
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I'm pretty sure that is your problem. They wear out and a lot of people have that same trouble, and that is usually the culprit.
 
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Old 03-30-2004, 05:54 PM
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The "switch" and the "lock" are at opposite end of the steering column connected by a metal rod. where is the wear happening, in the lock barrel or at the electrical switch? or maybe even the mechanism that moves the rod?
 
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Old 03-31-2004, 09:23 PM
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sail2244: That was exactly it, problem came back this morning, rotated counter clockwise a shade and everything worked. Since this happens when it's cold mornings I suspect that maybe the lock barrel is not springing from the 'start' to 'run' positions.
BTW, my blown fuse was an unrelated problem
 
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Old 04-04-2004, 04:46 AM
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I think I got it with a swicth & lock tumbler. See a full explanation in my last post in "83 crankshaft sensor". Thanks for all the help & ideas guys!
 
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Old 04-04-2004, 10:41 AM
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As to the fuse blowing on the horn and cig lighter, replace the cigaret lighter. Mine was doing exactly the same thing. Bought a new light (this one with a lighted bezel) and the problem was solved. Seems that corrrosion between the inner sleeve and the outer sleave causes a short which blows out the fuse.
 
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Old 04-04-2004, 11:52 AM
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Yes, the blown fuse was a suspect connection at the cig lighter
 




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