I've got a 1988 Ford F150. I've replaced the battery, the starter and starter solenoid, distributor cap, rotar and has new plugs in it. When I try to start it, there's a part that's located on the firewall on the passenger side that hums and seems to *draw* the power from the battery. I'm not sure what this part is or what it's for but it has a vacuum line from it. If this part is bad can it draw the power from the battery so as to not let the truck start?
When I try to start the truck it's as if it has an *almost* dead battery(which is not the case, it's fully charged).
Please help.....I don't have a mechanic nor do I have the monies to hire one. I'm a single mom and am not working as I'm out on workers comp with major injuries.....ANY and ALL HELP is GREATLY Appreciated!!!!
Thanks in advance to everyone. Have a Great Week/weekend coming up!!!
Jackie

 

can you take a picture of this part and post it. It will give us a better idea of what you are talking about




Jim

 

Does it look like this?
http://fordfuelinjection.com/images/map.gif

 

Yes, that's the part. Can that cause the drain on the battery if it's bad?

 

No it will not.
Did somebody time the engine and not remove the timing plug?
What engine are we talking about?

 

The truck hasn't been timed. The plugs have been changed, new dist. cap, rotar, starter & solenoid and battery. It's an inline 6.

 

Sounds like maybe firing order is off?

 

About the only thing left are the battery cables, starter cable and the ground connection where the negative cable bolts on to the starter.

 

Or you got all of the wires one hole off on the distributor cap.

 

Should I replace both battery cables? The positive cable had been replaced when the new starter solenoid was put on. It almost seems as tho the opening isn't quite big enough to fit on the post correctly...I mean it doesn't seet all the way to the bottom of the post on the positive side.

As far as the firing order. I don't know how that could happen since each plug was changed individually....meaning, one at a time. How would that make it seem like a drained battery? I was told that perhaps the timing needs to be retarted....just not sure. Then again I was told "how could it possibly have jumped time?" So, I'm at a loss here....need to have a vehicle running with having kids and needing to get to my doctor/hospital appointments.
Thanks again for everyones help....it is much needed!
Jackie

 

Jackie, check to make sure your plug wires look like this:



If thats good, check the cables subford mentioned for good contacts.

 

Thanks, I will go and check that out....well, I have to wait until dark...can't work on the truck in the parking area of my apartments...managers are hassling me...told me I've got to work on it on the street....told them I can't get it started in order to do that...even when all I was doing was getting the battery out to have it checked...they said "No working on vehicles" I said that I wasn't, only getting the battery out...they said move it to the street.....said I would if I could get it started....can't even start it with a jump. Some people just like to be bitchy lol

Anyhow, I'll check the firing order to make sure it's right.

 

We double checked the firing order and the plug wires are where they should be. The battery's charged so I hooked it up and tried starting it...still get the draggin' drained battery thing going on. I haven't replaced the map part yet but didn't think that that would play a part in the starting of the truck. I don't know what else to do....should I loosen the distributor and retard it slightly? I was told that that should fix the problem but the person who told me has never come over to do it for me. I do know where the lockdown nut is for it...should I try it or not?

Desperately in need of my truck running......Jackie

 

After rethinking this I guess the MAP sensor could be bad. The Computer would then dump too much fuel into the engine keeping it from starting and washing down the cylinder walls thus removing oil from them, this would make it hard to crank.

 

Where did you get the solenoid from Jackie?

Also, have you made sure all the battery connections are good and solid..Positive and ground?

And what started the path to battery, solenoid, starter being replaced, was it this same issue?

subford, I see what your saying, and it makes sense, but wouldn't a fairly worn in 6 still roll better that that?