'72 F-100 Electrical problem
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Pomona, CA
'72 F-100 Electrical problem
I recently was given a '72 F-100 by my grandfather. The battery was dead and when I went to give it a jump I accidently hooked up my jumper cables backwards
. I turned my back for a few seconds and when I looked back, the truck was smoking from somewhere near the solenoid. After I hooked up the cables correctly, I got nothing electrically. The ignition didn't work and nothing else in the cab (lights, wipers, etc.) had power, except for the horn.
I know that a few months ago, someone gave it a jump (correctly) and although it did not run, most everything was fine. The truck has been sitting for about 5 years and the starter won't turn over and the fuel lines probably need flushing, but besides that, everything else was okay before my little accident.
Any idea on what I might have fried? My thought was the solenoid, but if anyone else has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
. I turned my back for a few seconds and when I looked back, the truck was smoking from somewhere near the solenoid. After I hooked up the cables correctly, I got nothing electrically. The ignition didn't work and nothing else in the cab (lights, wipers, etc.) had power, except for the horn. I know that a few months ago, someone gave it a jump (correctly) and although it did not run, most everything was fine. The truck has been sitting for about 5 years and the starter won't turn over and the fuel lines probably need flushing, but besides that, everything else was okay before my little accident.
Any idea on what I might have fried? My thought was the solenoid, but if anyone else has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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well,im only 16 but we reasently went over this in auto tech and from wut i learned u need a new battery(gaurenteed) and a new starter selinoide and just to be safe check all ur electrical lines,like starter line,ground cable and the cable that goes to the seliniod,and check the battery cause im most absolutely sure u screwed that way up,oh and im sure ur gonna need a new altenator and regulater since u reveirsed the polarity in the altinator,which means u woud de-charge ur batter instead,see they teach us alot at scool,science helps alot too,but dont quote me,im just a young man 
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Pomona, CA
Funny you should mention your age. I am 16 as well. I obviously will be replacing my battery, and my starter solenoid as soon as possible. I will then work from there on my alternator and regulator. Even if for some reason I didn't mess these up during my mistake, I would probably end up replacing them any way for performance's sake.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: eugene
you absolutely wouldnt need to change your alternator until you have had the truck running. Its not going to charge anything while your trying to start it. I would start with the starter solenoid, the regulator would also help, both very cheap parts. Also, side note, You might need to change the points dizzy cap and condensor before it will start. possibly spark plugs also. I'm sure you knew that, but just a reminder. Once you have a battery, you should invest in a tool that will allow you to see if there is current in any wire or parts. just my 2 cents.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 796
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From: Anderson Northern Ca
No Power
72Ford100,you most likley fried the fusable link in the wiring harness near the battery,look for a lump in the wiring harness and pull the tape off.A fuseable link is just what it says,it is an inline fuse to prevent catastropic wire harness burnup.You blew the link when you reversed the line flow in the harness,replace the fuse and it should start.The fuse may be a length of lesser gague wire or an actual fuse.Let us know what you find.
"bowties in the rearview mirror"
"bowties in the rearview mirror"
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
You can get fuse links at local store. The link is usually hooked right at the end of wire right at soleniod. Feel the wires and you will notice one is really limp feeling-that's it. The link in original wiring should have plastic/rubber blocks denoting the length of link in wire. Remove this length and replace with new one.
Place a new/different battery in truck and try some lights, or even start truck.
I don't think anything else should really be hurt from the reversal. Nothing else is energized, and if link blew then most anything else should be okay. I fix one thing at a time. No sense buying alot of parts for no reason...yet.
Just a thought.
Place a new/different battery in truck and try some lights, or even start truck.
I don't think anything else should really be hurt from the reversal. Nothing else is energized, and if link blew then most anything else should be okay. I fix one thing at a time. No sense buying alot of parts for no reason...yet.
Just a thought.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bridgeville,CA
Another option that I have done to all of my vehicles is to replace the link with a circut breaker. They are available in various ratings from any good parts store. If the breaker pops then you figure out why and reset it. A lot better than trying find a fusible link before the truck will run.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
FWIW: A circuit breaker will not protect your vehicle as well as a fusible link. Not that I have anything against a c.b., I put a few in my truck to solve a few problems.
Being an old Ford, I just would like to point out you can start and drive the truck without the ignition key even being on by jumping a few wires. You can buy a coil that steps the voltage from 12v to 9v for less then $12 at Autozone.
Being an old Ford, I just would like to point out you can start and drive the truck without the ignition key even being on by jumping a few wires. You can buy a coil that steps the voltage from 12v to 9v for less then $12 at Autozone.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Pomona, CA
Currently the truck is very dirty as it has been sitting for 5 years uncovered. Under the dirt, the truck is white. It is the base edition of the f-100 model. The interior is in bad condition, and everything will eventually (after truck is in running condition) need to be re-upholstered. Other than that the truck is still in good shape. I plan to try to get a new fusible link (if that is my problem) this sunday so as I can possibly try starting it. Hope that answers your question, 1972ford_f-100.
Last edited by 72ford100; Dec 3, 2004 at 08:44 PM.