HELP! Bronco lost electrical power
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Freshman User
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HELP! Bronco lost electrical power
I was at a stop light last night when my brnco suddenly died. Not only did it stop running, but the headlights, radio, etc all lost power. I couldn't get anything started again. I checked the battery connections and they look ok.
I replaced my battery a couple months ago, so my first thought was that my alternator quit, and the battery lost its charge. But I checked and I have 12V at the battery terminals, and 12V at the starter relay located inside the fender. Checked my fuses under the dash, and they're all good.
I had it towed home. Any ideas on what I should look for now??
One other note: I drove my brnco for the first time after it had sat for about 2 weeks, and my stereo was acting funny. When I tried changing stations it would shut off on me. Happened a few times before the truck lost power completely. Maybe a bad ground connection to my stereo??
__________________________________________________ _______
1980 Bronco XLT
351M, 4BBL Edelbrock Carb
I replaced my battery a couple months ago, so my first thought was that my alternator quit, and the battery lost its charge. But I checked and I have 12V at the battery terminals, and 12V at the starter relay located inside the fender. Checked my fuses under the dash, and they're all good.
I had it towed home. Any ideas on what I should look for now??
One other note: I drove my brnco for the first time after it had sat for about 2 weeks, and my stereo was acting funny. When I tried changing stations it would shut off on me. Happened a few times before the truck lost power completely. Maybe a bad ground connection to my stereo??
__________________________________________________ _______
1980 Bronco XLT
351M, 4BBL Edelbrock Carb
Last edited by brownbronco; Jan 2, 2007 at 10:23 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 495
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From: Western US
must be something in the water?? mine has the same problem new battery no power anywhere. Still looking for help (posted as continuing electrical problems). Let us hopesomeone has a great idea I am about ready to take it to a shop to be fixed.
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found the problem,
there is a wire that runs from the 12v terminal of the starter soilenoid into the main wire harness. Saw a splice in the wire that sparked when I bumped it. It was an old butt splice that had arced and burnt through the insulation. I replaced the splice and everthing started up just fine.
Goes to show that wire nuts and butt splices are crap for automotive wiring. All splices should be soldered and heat shrink insulated.
there is a wire that runs from the 12v terminal of the starter soilenoid into the main wire harness. Saw a splice in the wire that sparked when I bumped it. It was an old butt splice that had arced and burnt through the insulation. I replaced the splice and everthing started up just fine.
Goes to show that wire nuts and butt splices are crap for automotive wiring. All splices should be soldered and heat shrink insulated.
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Originally Posted by wileec
Good news
unfortunatly I have a brand new wiring harness from my battery to starter and relay-the whole shootin match-- guess I will keep looking
unfortunatly I have a brand new wiring harness from my battery to starter and relay-the whole shootin match-- guess I will keep looking
Did you Check all wire connections in the starting circuit and make sure they're nice and tight? You'll also want to make sure that you have good ground connections to clean bare metal on the body/frame. I think the starter solenoid is grounded just from mounting it to the inside of the fender. Make sure you have clean metal there.
