390 wont start
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Poolville, TX
390 wont start
okay, not sure if this is in the right forum or not but....I just put on a new intake gasket as well as header gaskets. Got everything back together and went to start. Battery was low so I went to jump start. She turned over a few times but since there was no fuel in the lines yet it wouldn't start. So, like ive done in the past, I was going to prime it by pouring some fuel down the carb. When i went to go get the gas can, I accidentally left the key in the "on" position (still got the jumper cables hooked up to the other truck charging). SOOOO when i get back a min later with the gas, it will not turn over anymore. There is no "click" when i go to start it and when I turn the key to the "acc" position, the "acc" light in the dash will not come on anymore.
Finally my question....what did i fry? Is it the starter solenoid, starter, key switch, a fuse, or what? I have no clue. BTW, the starter solenoid is almost brand new as well as the starter and its a 68 F-250, 390 2bbl.
Finally my question....what did i fry? Is it the starter solenoid, starter, key switch, a fuse, or what? I have no clue. BTW, the starter solenoid is almost brand new as well as the starter and its a 68 F-250, 390 2bbl.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
I would look at your ignition switch, it sounds like it isn't sending any power. Also check the wires on the + side of the solenoid to see if a fusible link burned thru. Actually start with the solenoid check first! You could check power at the switch with a test light to see if it is recieving any power.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Put the battery on an overnight charge at about 2 amps. Check the cables and ground. Try again! I like to spin an engine over without plugs in it to prime the oil and fuel. Then put in the plugs and start it.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Poolville, TX
well, I kept trying to find the problem and get it started last night, but no luck. This morning, i went out to look over the ign. switch again, and I went to start it, just to see if anything would happen. Sure enough, the truck started like nothing was wrong with it. Now I'm REALLY confused. Truck seems to run great and havent had any problems yet but I'll have to keep an eye on it. Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Poolville, TX
here we go again 
.
Truck was runnin good for a while but now the battery will barley turn the engine over a couple of times. The battery has been sitting for a few months unused so I expected that it might need to be charged. So I did the 2amp overnight charge and tried again. Engine turned over 3 times and then stopped. After that, all the starter would do is "click, click," like the battery was dead. So i took it back to the parts store where they tested it and said it was good. Then they charged it for like 5mins and gave it back to me.
Tried again, and the same thing happend, turns over a few times and then acts like its dead again. I take it back to the store again, and same deal happens.
The guy at the part store said that I have a short and that it was draining my batt. Could the short drain my battery in the 1min that it was hooked up??????
When the starter was turning over, it sounded like normal, but could it be going out or somthing? Its my 3rd starter and I dont really want to take it out and bring it to the store for them to test it if its not absoultly the starter.
Also, starter solenoid is new, and shows hot on all sides when key is turned on.
.Truck was runnin good for a while but now the battery will barley turn the engine over a couple of times. The battery has been sitting for a few months unused so I expected that it might need to be charged. So I did the 2amp overnight charge and tried again. Engine turned over 3 times and then stopped. After that, all the starter would do is "click, click," like the battery was dead. So i took it back to the parts store where they tested it and said it was good. Then they charged it for like 5mins and gave it back to me.
Tried again, and the same thing happend, turns over a few times and then acts like its dead again. I take it back to the store again, and same deal happens.
The guy at the part store said that I have a short and that it was draining my batt. Could the short drain my battery in the 1min that it was hooked up??????
When the starter was turning over, it sounded like normal, but could it be going out or somthing? Its my 3rd starter and I dont really want to take it out and bring it to the store for them to test it if its not absoultly the starter.
Also, starter solenoid is new, and shows hot on all sides when key is turned on.
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 2
it sounds like your battery is no good.it couldnt die that fast.you need to put a load test on it.charge it up before testing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: houston TX
i had a problem like this. the cause was the cable leading to the starter was touching the metal housing and shorting out. it would somtimes work just like you say although it was worse when it was hot. I bent the cable away from any grounds and presto she starts fine.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Charge the battery at 2amp overnight. Put it in the truck and turn on the lights. Are the lights nice and bright? Wait a few minutes. Are the lights still nice and bright? Feel the battery cable ends at the battery and at the starter solenoid to see if they are hot. Turn off the lights try the starter. Again feel for a hot connection including both ends on the starter cable. Turn on the lights. Are they bright? With this testing, you are putting a load on the battery. First load is the lights, then starter. At the same time you are looking for a bad connection identified by heat. Often these problems are caused by bad cables and the most overlooked cable is the starter cable. Sometimes corrosion will build up in the cable at the connector and not be very noticeable. If the lights are bright after you turn the starter, but the solenoid just clicks, replace the starter. If the lights are dim replace the battery. I'd put on all new cables, just for insurance. I like a remanufactured starter on any truck I'll be keeping for more than a year or two. Hate being stranded! If the battery is more than three years old I would replace it as well.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Portland Oregon
The old timers say that 90 per cent of electrical problems are
ground connection problems. Follow your negative battery lead
to the engine block and clean up that connection..you
can get a lot of dissimiler metal corrosion at that point.
Hope this helps!
ground connection problems. Follow your negative battery lead
to the engine block and clean up that connection..you
can get a lot of dissimiler metal corrosion at that point.
Hope this helps!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
privateer, eh
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Jan 18, 2015 11:49 PM
brookdale79
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Jan 18, 2015 03:26 PM
InfidelReaper
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Apr 2, 2013 02:54 AM