Problems Starting

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May 22, 2005 | 07:06 PM

misty24

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Problems Starting

I have a 1978 F100 Custom that has been sitting for over a year. About a week ago, it started fine and I even drove it a short way. Now it won't start. I think that it has something to do with the wires running to the starter. With the wires attached to the starter in their normal position, the motor won't turn over at all. There is only a clicking sound. If you cross the wires coming to the starter, the engine will turn over but in order to get the truck to idle, you have to take the wires off - almost like the starter won't disengage when you release the key. Also, fire will shoot out of the carb sometimes when attempting to start it. I have zero experience and knowledge when it comes to cars and trucks, but I really want to learn so I'm using this truck as my project. Can anyone give me any suggestions on what could be causing the problem? Thanks

May 23, 2005 | 10:25 AM

hdgapeach

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Franklin, GA

With a truck that has been sitting for a while, the first thing I would suggest is remove the battery's positive and negative cables and clean the ends of the cables as well as what they are attached to. If there is corrosion built up in the cables, replace them, preferrably with heavier guage cables. Clean connections may be all that is causing your problems. Ditto with the cable that connects the starter to the starter solenoid. Next, make sure you have a fully charged battery installed in the truck. Once everything is clean and in good condition, try to start the truck. If you still have problems, re-post with the results and we'll go from there.

May 23, 2005 | 01:00 PM

'77fordtony

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From: Show Low, Az

yes, hdgapeach is right on this one. sounds like something is not connected good. check where your ground cable goes to the block too. it has to be a bad connection somewhere. and remember this because many people will forget, the only parts that involve initially turning the motor over are just the battery, solenoid, starter and the wires between them. make sure the wires on the starter are nice and snug on there. every wire in there has to be snug with a good face of metal between them and whatever they are bolted to. now the fire coming out the carburetor can be a few things but just work on getting the truck to turn over everytime and then let us know and we will work on the backfiring part.

May 26, 2005 | 06:57 PM

misty24

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I visually inspected each connection and nothing looks loose. I did notice that the end of the wire running from the starter to the starter solenoid was rust a little bit where the metal part connects to the solenoid. How would I go about cleaning them? I have a can of electrical cleaner. Should I just disconnect the battery, loosen the connections, and spray them with cleaner?

May 26, 2005 | 07:45 PM

deisele75

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Las Vegas

I would cut all the ends off everything and start over with all new connectors, and clean all the surfaces that they connect to. (that way your less likely to be chaseing down an electrical problem on the side of the road in rush our traffic)

May 26, 2005 | 08:45 PM

hdgapeach

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From: Franklin, GA

If all the wire terminals are in good shape with just corosion, I usually scrub them clean with a wire brush till they shine up. I also use the wire brush on the engine block where the ground cable is attached and also on the battery posts. Some dielectric grease smeared on the clean connections will help prevent the corosion from returning too soon. But you will find out that cleaning wire terminal ends every now and then is a neccessary chore to add to your general maintenance list with these Ford trucks.

May 26, 2005 | 11:31 PM

'77fordtony

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Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 54

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From: Show Low, Az

yes, hdgapeach hit it on the nail yet again. a wire brush will work great. when you clean them, dont only use the cleaner, scrub it off with something. when you dont keep the corrosion off of your battery terminals, your truck will do weird things like the battery will lose a charge slowly and say that fateful moment when you are stuck in a puddle or stuck somewhere in the snow and your truck just HAS to turn over, and it doesnt. another thing, if you check ALL the connections and they are nice and snug and clean and it still wont start. theres another thing i just remembered and its not something i would professionally suggest but its kinda weird cause it worked. tap on the starter relay with something (but not hard) my brother had a 79 ford f250 and it did that weird stuff to him like all it would do is click and then sometimes it would start but the starter wouldnt disengage and he would jump out and tap the relay (solenoid) with like a socket wrench. then, it happenned to MY '77 ford and i did the same thing. of course we didnt keep doing that, we went and bought new relays. hope that helps you out. tony