Okay I've got another wiring problem. When I let my truck sit for a couple of days the gas gauge,temp gauge,turn signals and windsheild wipers wont work. After I drive for a couple of miles everthing comes back and works until it sits again. I know that the selector switch for the dual tanks is going bad. Would that cause this? Any advice woulb be appreciated.

 

The selector switch should have nothing to do with it. Does the key seem to make it crank okay? I would first suspect a faulty ignition switch.

Marty

 

Could be a ground not making good contact.

 

Good point. There is a grounding screw behind the guage cluster that grounds the guages and wiper switch and some other things. Might check that out. Also make sure the batt ground cable has a clean tight connection to the engine - as well as the grounding strap from rear of engine to firewall.

Marty

 

I had the grounding strap from the engine to firewall break one time and it caused all my gauges to read very high. I didn't realize they were related until I took it in for work and they replaced that cable, then the gauges worked properly again. Might check that....

 

Hmm thats kind of an odd one actually. I wouldn't expect a bad ground in that situation since the wiper motor and the turnsignal bulbs are grounded via local chassis. I would look for a common link between all those systems like the ignition switch, a fuse, or a common circuit. I would do some tracing, flex the under-dash harness a bit. I am not sure of the 77 models, but I know many of the early-mid 70s fords tended to tie alot of things to one circuit, wipers and turn sigs for example. Anyhew I would rule out a ground based on your description, I would guess that most likely they all run on the same circuit and a connection somewhere has gotten lose or corroded. hope this helps some.

 

I have ran into a lot grounding problems with an old race car I had. They are all have to be grounded or they will not work.

 

I replaced the ignition switch. Ill let you know if that fixes the problem. Thanks for the help!

 

The problem may be the cylinder lock. If the cylinder lock sticks, it may not return fully to the run position after strting. It may need some WD40.