Elec. Problems, My answer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Elec. Problems, My answer
I had a long fight trying to figure out why my truck didn't always want to start and cranked very poorly. Replaced battery, alternator, starter. Checked and rechecked the cables.
However, even though the negative cable looked fine, it wasn't. I got a new, heavy cable, made sure it made good contact with the engine block, and shazam! No more starting/charging problems.
If your cables are old, try new ones. They're cheaper than alternators and starters!
Now to that pesky 'light switch kills the engine' problem!
However, even though the negative cable looked fine, it wasn't. I got a new, heavy cable, made sure it made good contact with the engine block, and shazam! No more starting/charging problems.
If your cables are old, try new ones. They're cheaper than alternators and starters!
Now to that pesky 'light switch kills the engine' problem!
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The OEM neg cable had a special ground tab that is not on replacement cables. Cables often go bad inside the end connections and the fault is not visible. Voltage measurements across the connectors can usually determine the location of the fault. Also the bodies on these old trucks are laden with rust and the ground connections are often bad.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I agree, new cables make a heck of a difference. And you can plan the work for a free afternoon instead of begging for a jump or a push, at the worst time, while your at the store, in a crowded parking lot, running late, in the dark, while it's raining,.....
Trending Topics
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: oregon
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Well, since I hardly ever drive the truck and since it hasn't done it since, no, I didn't solve it. In fact, when I drove it recently, the horn started to sound by itself off and on. I had to pull over and disconnect it.
I have yet to diagnose further.
I have yet to diagnose further.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ironelk
Electrical Systems/Wiring
7
Dec 3, 2005 10:29 PM
51PanelMan
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
29
Oct 20, 2005 09:42 PM
neednewranger
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
19
Jul 20, 2003 10:55 PM