Won't start, no accessories
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Won't start, no accessories
Hi all. I've got an electrical problem with my 1980 F100 302 auto. While driving to work I lost all power at 100kmh. The engine died, radio, heater blower and wipers cut out. I had no signal lights or emergency flashers either, which would have helped as I rolled to the shoulder in the fog. The truck would not even turn over. The headlights and cab lights still work. If I short the starter solonoid the engine will crank. It's like there is no power getting past the starter solonoid. I used a multimeter to check the 2 aftermarket fusible links and it showed I was getting 12.8 volts if I poked the red multimeter lead into the link and touched the negative terminal of the battery with the black lead. I checked the fuses and they are all right. Where do I go from here?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 691
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From: Eau Claire, WI
this might not all be needed, but heres what you should do.
Use dilectric grease on every electrical connection you can find
New solonoid
New battery cables
New ground
Possiably new battery/alt
good luck, I'm forever in preventive maninaince mode with electrical after getting stranded after a fight with my ex (we rode in my truck)........
I guess leaving them lights on for 4 hours kills your battery (forgot they were on... I was busy)
Thats all I know, havnet had many electrical issues with my truck... I've only been driving it for 2 months, since I turned 16.
So far, new alt, battery cables, speakers *duhh*, radiator, hoses, t/stat, transmission/engine fluid/filter
And a hell of alot of gas
good luck with your rig, they're great trucks when they're taken care of.
What transmission do you have (identified by the pan), and will it burn out on dry pavement? What kind of gas milage are you getting out of it?
tks alot, I appreciate it
~Nate
Use dilectric grease on every electrical connection you can find
New solonoid
New battery cables
New ground
Possiably new battery/alt
good luck, I'm forever in preventive maninaince mode with electrical after getting stranded after a fight with my ex (we rode in my truck)........
I guess leaving them lights on for 4 hours kills your battery (forgot they were on... I was busy)
Thats all I know, havnet had many electrical issues with my truck... I've only been driving it for 2 months, since I turned 16.
So far, new alt, battery cables, speakers *duhh*, radiator, hoses, t/stat, transmission/engine fluid/filter
And a hell of alot of gas
good luck with your rig, they're great trucks when they're taken care of.
What transmission do you have (identified by the pan), and will it burn out on dry pavement? What kind of gas milage are you getting out of it?
tks alot, I appreciate it
~Nate
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
When you checked the fuseable links, did you check to see if you have power beyond them in the actual wires?
From the link on the starter solenoid, that link should go down and split off to more wires. There is a weld that connects the link to the wires. It could have corroded there, or at the other fuseable links where they are welded etc...
My truck has four of them.
..........
Check the ground cables going to the starter, or block, frame etc.. from the battery neg terminal as suggested earlier by weezle.
You may need a new battery cable etc...
From the link on the starter solenoid, that link should go down and split off to more wires. There is a weld that connects the link to the wires. It could have corroded there, or at the other fuseable links where they are welded etc...
My truck has four of them.
..........
Check the ground cables going to the starter, or block, frame etc.. from the battery neg terminal as suggested earlier by weezle.
You may need a new battery cable etc...
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Radisson Sask
One more thing that is possible is check your connection from steering colum down to main harness.
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Well, I found it. At some point in the past someone installed aftermarket temp, oil pressure, and a voltmeter guage. I followed power through the harness to the voltmeter it had power on both terminals, but none on the exiting wire. I put a new connector on and my radio, wipers and blower came on. In the long run, I now have a new starter solonoid, all kinds of new wire connections, new battery cables, and waterproof fusible links. A.K.A. 60 bucks worth of peace of mind. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
The whole power of your truck isnt going through that ammeter is it?
Ive seen aftermarket guages like that melt down and catch fire, because they are wired like that.
Its better to have the aftermarket ammeter hooked up like the factory ammeter. IMO
Ive seen aftermarket guages like that melt down and catch fire, because they are wired like that.
Its better to have the aftermarket ammeter hooked up like the factory ammeter. IMO
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New User
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Originally Posted by 81-F-150-Explorer
The whole power of your truck isnt going through that ammeter is it?
Ive seen aftermarket guages like that melt down and catch fire, because they are wired like that.
Its better to have the aftermarket ammeter hooked up like the factory ammeter. IMO
Ive seen aftermarket guages like that melt down and catch fire, because they are wired like that.
Its better to have the aftermarket ammeter hooked up like the factory ammeter. IMO
DC
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