No electrical Power
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
No electrical Power
I have a 73 F100 with a 390 and a 4 speed (was originally an automatic). Last night, I drove it from Strawberry, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ (about 75 miles). Ran like a charm. No signs of trouble (there never is, is there?)
After dinner in Apache Junction, I got back in and tried to start the truck. No power. Not a click, not a dim bulb, nothing. Popped out the battery and took it to Autozone for a checkup. Good battery.
Tried jumping the starter solenoid - nothing. Not even a spark.
Not sure what to try next. Voltage regulator? I don't suspect it, because the failure is so sudden and so complete. It seems more like a fuse/circuit breaker problem. When I look at the fuse block, the glass fuses are all good. If there is a fusible link, where would it be? Is there possibly a circuit breaker and if so, where?
Any help would be appreciated as the truck is parked out in front of my in-laws house and I have to go get it tonight (with or without a tow truck!).
Thanks,
-Vinny
After dinner in Apache Junction, I got back in and tried to start the truck. No power. Not a click, not a dim bulb, nothing. Popped out the battery and took it to Autozone for a checkup. Good battery.
Tried jumping the starter solenoid - nothing. Not even a spark.
Not sure what to try next. Voltage regulator? I don't suspect it, because the failure is so sudden and so complete. It seems more like a fuse/circuit breaker problem. When I look at the fuse block, the glass fuses are all good. If there is a fusible link, where would it be? Is there possibly a circuit breaker and if so, where?
Any help would be appreciated as the truck is parked out in front of my in-laws house and I have to go get it tonight (with or without a tow truck!).
Thanks,
-Vinny
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
If you jump #3 to #6 with a battery jumper cable, will it try to start? If not, I would check the ground at point #4. I then would suspect the starter itself.
If it cranks with #3 to #6, then I would take a small wire and jump #3 to #5. If it cranks with 3 to 5, then I would suspect a fusible link like you said, especially if the radio and other stuff doesn't work. I guess it could be the ignition switch too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
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From: Belleville, Ontario
Without the short story, if the battery clamps are the aftermarket type with a bracket to bolt the cables into them, wiggle the cable right at the bracket. If the cable moves in the bracket and the bracket is completely tightened down, take the bracket off & turn it upside down so the little tabs are pointed down. This will hold the cable enough to make connection.
If you have good booster cables, by-pass the ground cable with them and if needed, by-pass the positive right to the starter side of the solenoid.
AL.
If you have good booster cables, by-pass the ground cable with them and if needed, by-pass the positive right to the starter side of the solenoid.
AL.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix
Problem solved!
Thanks for your suggestions. I went through the troubleshooting tips provided and while jumping some of the connections, discovered a broken wire. This wire led from the positive side of the starter solenoid to the wiring harness itself. I was able to splice in a temporary wire, start the truck and drive it home. Now I need to either solder a new wire in place, or replace that part of the harness. Either way, I'm back in business.
Thanks again for all your help.
-Vinny
Thanks again for all your help.
-Vinny
