Engine will not crank
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Engine will not crank
I need a little advice. Last weekend I jacked up the cab on my 72 F250 with a 360 to have a look at the front cab supports. When I was finished looking things over I lowered it back down and went to do something else. Two days later I went out to start the truck to go some place and nothing. The dash lights come on but the starter will not turn. The lights are strong so it looks like the battery is okay. There is no sound from under the hood. Could I have pulled a wire loose when I jacked things up? What should I look at first? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 261
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
How far did you jack it up?
The wiring harness has a lot of play, and the connectors are very hard to get apart. If this is an automatic, check the switch on the column. Turn the key and move the column toward drive real slow. If every thing is adjusted right, it will only start in Park and Neutral.
The wiring harness has a lot of play, and the connectors are very hard to get apart. If this is an automatic, check the switch on the column. Turn the key and move the column toward drive real slow. If every thing is adjusted right, it will only start in Park and Neutral.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I jacked it up about 3/4 of an inch. The cab supports were shot. Will need to put that on the to-do list. I didn't check the column switch, will do that right away. I am fairly new to this forum and I got to tell you, this site is great. This truck has always been pretty darn dependable and when it did'nt take off this morning, I knew it was something I did. Thanks much for the feedback.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I agree on the switch. Might have moved the arm a bit when you jacked it up. It's common for them to "adjust" themselves outta whack over the years. Two of the trucks I've bought you had to "hold" the shifter UP to get them to start. Get under the dash and look at top of column and you'll see the switch with the little lever that activates it. There are two sheetmetal screws that you loosen to adjust it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Hello Olddog;
If the Neutral safely switch isn't the cause, you might check the starter relay on the right fender. There should be a small wire or two connected to the top of it. Those wires will come loose sometimes and cause the starter not to work.
You can jump across the relay from the battery cable connection at the relay to the 'S' side (or closest small wire connector tab to the battery) small tab sticking out the top of the relay to see if the starter will turn over that way. You can even jump across the 2 large cables at the relay to see if the starter will turn over.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Drive safely,
Dan Harriman 84 F150 lwb
Orange, Texas
If the Neutral safely switch isn't the cause, you might check the starter relay on the right fender. There should be a small wire or two connected to the top of it. Those wires will come loose sometimes and cause the starter not to work.
You can jump across the relay from the battery cable connection at the relay to the 'S' side (or closest small wire connector tab to the battery) small tab sticking out the top of the relay to see if the starter will turn over that way. You can even jump across the 2 large cables at the relay to see if the starter will turn over.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Drive safely,
Dan Harriman 84 F150 lwb
Orange, Texas
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
my neutral and park safety switch were giving me problems so i took it apart and determined which wires were which and installed a toggle switch underneath the dash. so now in order to start my truck i have to remember to flick the switch and first check my shifter, and it will make it tougher for a crook to steal. not impossible, but definitely a chore. hopefully i will never forget and try to start it in drive, wham there goes the starter, haha.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 261
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
Install a momentary push button or toggle switch in place of the std toggle. May be a little safer. So if it's in gear the movement should knock you off the button.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks everybody for the replies. I had to adjust the switch on the steering column. Starts great now. I guess I knew that switch was there, but I had one of those moments when you think "Oh great, what now!" So you just close the hood and walk away. I got this truck last winter and little by little we've been bringing it back to life. My 19 and 16 yr. old sons need to have a little appreciation for the old trucks, in the days before computers and fuel injection. The 19 yr. old is going to the nearby tech school and taking the auto tech program, so he has been a great help. Its been fun. This site has been such a huge help too. My hometown of about 8,000 people just lost its Ford dealership, they were pretty decent about helping a guy out if you had any questions, you just couldn't afford to pay for the shop time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gertie-The '49 F2
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Nov 19, 2012 07:03 AM
redbug
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Jun 28, 2010 08:26 PM