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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Electrical Problem?

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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 12:38 PM
  #1  
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dpoelstra
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Electrical Problem?

OK...Here's one for you...
86 F350 CC DRW, 460/C6. Runs fantastic with MSD 5 ignition, all new plugs and wires, cap-n-rotor etc...
Recently developed an eratic ticking sound comming from the area of the ignition module and the surrounding wiring. Could sound like a spark to a dead short. This sound is only while at idle, and only while in gear. It goes away in P or N. Some times it wall go away all together, then when the lights are turned on, it will come back. I notice it increasing when the lights are on and on High beam.

Again this is an eratic sparking sound, but I can not find it. My volt meter is eratic too, but I can not see a pattern between the two. I can hear it from the driver's seat, but it is loudest under the hood on the drivers side by the firewall.

Any suggestions? Ever heard this before? Could it be the ignition module? Is it going out? I need some help on this one.

Thanks

 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 04:14 PM
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From: Garden Grove USA
Electrical Problem?

any ideas on this one?
 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 04:35 PM
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HotWhlz85
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Electrical Problem?

I wish I did Dan, but I'm as stumped as you are. Any noticeable change in engine performance or rpms? Are you sure it's coming from the ignition module area? If it were the ignition it seems odd (to me at least) that the lights would have anything to do with it. No wiring getting hot?

*scratchin head*

Ron


 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 04:57 PM
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Electrical Problem?

I notice nothing strange except the ticking noise. Engine performas as usual...tach is smooth...It's strange. I am afraid of an electrical short causing a fire. I have done a ton of work to this truck, and in doing so, It looks like it had a small underhood fire in the past.

Keep thinking...This is the place the smartest of the smart guys hang out. In the mean time I am going to check it out at night to see if I can see any arcing.


 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 05:22 PM
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Electrical Problem?

>Keep thinking...This is the place the smartest of the smart
>guys hang out.

Maybe one of em will wander by and see this post.........
lol.

In the meantime.......send a private message to TorqueKing. He has an MSD ignition and he may have some input. I'll post this with my truck club online and see if they have ideas. I can understand your concerns. I'd be the same way with mine.

Ron

 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 07:15 PM
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Electrical Problem?

Gee !...Here's thought....

Check under the hood when it's DARK out.
Any grounding out like sparkplug wire causes a light show at night.

*Note: Dis-connect the under hood light first ,if so equipped.


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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 09:01 PM
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Electrical Problem?

>In the mean time I am going to check it out
>at night to see if I can see any arcing.
>
>

Sounds like that's what he's gonna do.

-Winston
 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 09:31 PM
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Electrical Problem?

Thanks Winston..........I thought for a minute there I was missin something.

Ron
 
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 11:05 PM
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Electrical Problem?

Sorry,....Missed that part of the post.

Doh!

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Old Jul 31, 2002 | 09:45 PM
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Electrical Problem?

Long threads get me lost...

So, if this has been said..whoops... like Dennis said: "DOH!"p

If you are not running like a it's an ignition miss, then I'd look elsewhere. To put your mind completely at ease I'd put a stock module into place (if you can) and run it to see if the noise is present. What other items are located in the area where your ignition module is located? Can your temporarily relocate the module to see if the noise follows it?

Just throwing out the ideas...clearance sale

-Kerry
 
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Old Aug 3, 2002 | 11:17 PM
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Electrical Problem?

went to check it out at night, and I can't get it to do it again. Figures, huh?
Thanks all...

 
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Old Aug 4, 2002 | 03:30 PM
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Electrical Problem?

Try this question on oldfordtech. He really knows his stuff.

BROKEBRONCO
 
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 10:29 PM
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From: Garden Grove USA
Electrical Problem?

I may have gotten to the bottom if this mystery...
This weekend the fuel system shut down and one (amoung several) of the problems was a bad connection at the tank solenoid, which is located on the firewall where I heard this sound comming from. This could have been the sparking sound, that later finally gave up the ghost.

I am going to lable this one "Solved"...

Thanks for your help.

 
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 10:31 PM
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Electrical Problem?

 
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