Help, electrical problem
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Help, electrical problem
'87, f150, 4x4, inline 6, standard trans.
I got to my truck today and when I went to start it all the dash lights came on and then flashed off. The starter didn't turn over nothing. So I tried to jump it, as it had been a couple of days. No luck. NOt even the dome lights turned on. SO I took the battery to advance autoparts. They ran a half hour test deal on it adn said it was fine. SO I brought iit back put it in and the dome lights turned on. SO I tried to start it and everything died again.
My only thought is the ignition switch but I don't under stand how it is killing everything, headlights, etc..
I recently changed the switch but noticed some schorching around the plug. The conections seemed decent and with a new plug nearly impossible to find I gave up. It's been a month since the new switch.
Any way sorry for the long post and any advice would be great.
Thanks
Blindlightguy
I got to my truck today and when I went to start it all the dash lights came on and then flashed off. The starter didn't turn over nothing. So I tried to jump it, as it had been a couple of days. No luck. NOt even the dome lights turned on. SO I took the battery to advance autoparts. They ran a half hour test deal on it adn said it was fine. SO I brought iit back put it in and the dome lights turned on. SO I tried to start it and everything died again.
My only thought is the ignition switch but I don't under stand how it is killing everything, headlights, etc..
I recently changed the switch but noticed some schorching around the plug. The conections seemed decent and with a new plug nearly impossible to find I gave up. It's been a month since the new switch.
Any way sorry for the long post and any advice would be great.
Thanks
Blindlightguy
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: The OC
Did you replace the switch on the steering column below the steering wheel? If so, did you align it perfectly? They are a little touchy. Clean your battery posts and clamps with a wire brush and reconnect. Check for power and starting. If you get power but no start, check for codes.
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I didn't check the fusible links other then visually. How does one check them?
As far as the switch how miss aligning the switch, could result in no power to things like dome lights, headlights, taillights, etc. regardless of switch position.
I have never seen anything that just kills power to everything like this.
Blindlightguy
As far as the switch how miss aligning the switch, could result in no power to things like dome lights, headlights, taillights, etc. regardless of switch position.
I have never seen anything that just kills power to everything like this.
Blindlightguy
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: The OC
The contacts on the ignition switch must line up perfectly, at least with my experience. As far as the fusible link, pull on the wire going to the starter solenoid, that is one of the fusible links. If it streches, it burned through and you need to replace.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
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From: Michigan
I had similar problem. Ended up being loose connections at the starter selinoid. When you turn the key to start and have no dome light, turn lights on to see if you have power to your headlights. If so, the loose conn. is in the starting circuit.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by o7dgm
sounds like dirty battery terminals or bad ground
.
.
Could also be a bad connection at the starter solenoid on the battery side or the battery cables may be bad.
The Ignition switch can not do this and if the fuse links were bad taking the battery out and putting it back in would not let the dome light back on.
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Yeha, I think subford is right, I am going to go clean the heck out of the contacts today, and maybe get a new negative battery cable, since I recently replaced the postive.
I will let you all know how it goes.
thanks as usual.
Bliundlightguy
I will let you all know how it goes.
thanks as usual.
Bliundlightguy
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Joined: Nov 2005
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i need help too with this.. mine started yesterday... but i test the battery cables fine, the ground right at the block it was fine. so i started to do a little more testing, and when you hit start everything dies, and slowly comes back on. but what i am aiming for maybe the selnoid right by the battery... i put the volt tester to that and all i get is a slow increase in volts until it balances out to the battery... help asap please... anyone? lol i need my truck for work