F-250 electrical trouble
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
F-250 electrical trouble
I recently picked up a 1986 F-250 with a 351 in it and have been fixing it to be my new DD but ive run into an electrical problem. Several of the lights where burnt out so I replaced all of them and while checking to see if they all worked i noticed that when the headlights are off and I signal left or right and both of the rear tail lights will flash at the same time, as if the hazards where on, I checked and there not. When I turn on the head/running lights the front running lights and headlights come on but i have no rear running lights but when I signal left or right the rear running lights come on but dont flash, at the same time the front running lights stay on but also dont flash. Occasionally when the headlights are off all the signals will work properly but it only did it once. Ive checked and replaced all the fuses so thats not the problem. Im thinking I have a short somewhere but I have no idea as to where to start, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
Wiring diagrams for your truck at: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm . Se last two figures.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: brooks a.b.
lights
i would start by checking your grounds for the lights, and make sure you where given the right syle of bulbs when replaced
Last edited by cheez67; Jan 14, 2008 at 11:45 PM. Reason: more info
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
Make sure when you put the bulbs in the sockets that they are oriented exactly right. On some, especially with plastic or sloppy sockets, it's pretty easy to get them in wrong and all sorts of strange symptoms show up.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I've been following yalls advice and so far I removed and cleaned all the bulbs, when I first put them in I noticed what I assume to be grease that's about the same consistency and color as peanut butter in the bottom of the sockets. I removed all the grease and sprayed out the sockets with electrical contact cleaner, then cleaned and reinstalled the bulbs. I believe they are in the correct way as they only seem to seat properly a certain way, and noticed no changes in how the lights have been working. I went to the autozone for the bulbs and was given 1157's for all but the reverse lights and 1156's for them. I've gotten some new flasher modules but haven't been able to install them yet, ill see if they make any difference.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Take a scrap piece of wire and bolt one end to a good ground on the body or the frame. Strip the other end to bare copper, and re-create the scenario where the light is not working correctly. With the socket in hand, stuff the bare copper end of the wire down beside the bulb so it touches the brass part of the bulb while it's still in the socket. If it suddenly start working correctly, then you know you have a ground problem.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Ok guys I replaced the flasher cans and ground out the light sockets on both sides useing a piece of wire, I checked both before and after replaceing the cans just to make sure and have no changes. What else could be causeing these probloms?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: SW Washington coast
Is it wired for a trailer? Could be that when it was wired for trailer lights something got crossed ... Or it might have been rewired after an engine fire or some other reason ... The last thing you want to do is the best, get a wiring diagram and trace each and every one of the lighting wires ...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
Use the link I posted earlier to the Autozone wiring diagrams and trace each wire from bulbs back to sources. That's about the only way unless you just get lucky. If the wiring all checks out OK then possibly the turn signal switch is bad. Brake, turn and hazard lights (but not running or back-up light) circuits run through the turn switch.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by magusjinx
Is it wired for a trailer? Could be that when it was wired for trailer lights something got crossed ... Or it might have been rewired after an engine fire or some other reason ... The last thing you want to do is the best, get a wiring diagram and trace each and every one of the lighting wires ...
