Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Wire mess

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2008 | 08:41 PM
  #1  
pk8950's Avatar
pk8950
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Solon
Wire mess

My truck is a 79 4x4 with a 460. with an auto. tranny, originally a 400 with a manual tranny.
My fuel gauge hasn't worked sence I bought the truck so I checked everything suggested and everything has been checking out. I got under the truck again and started tracing wires thinking maybe I missed something. I found a cut wire going to the front tank so I fixed that. that wasn't it them I reached all around the front tank and found anouther wire that wasn't even attached to any thing. I traced it all the way to engine compartment and it isn't attached to anything there either. Then as I looked longer in the engine area I notice wire connecters that weren't going to any thing. I'm really confused. Everything else is great just no gas gauge. Where can I get a wiring diagram so maybe I can at least figure out where to start with this. Thanks

Paul
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2008 | 08:51 PM
  #2  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
We need Pictures and the colour coding of the wires.

There are many unused wires on these truck that aren't full of options

Rather than having 12 different complete wiring harnesses they use a Main harness with Plug & Play option harnesses

Pretty smart ....IMO

I have tons of photos that are labeled with parts and connections
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2008 | 11:51 PM
  #3  
custom1106's Avatar
custom1106
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Check your gauge by grounding the sender wire at the tank (momentarilly) doing this should peg it to "full". Also check the selector switch if you have 2 tanks. In my experience the sender is at fault most of the time. It wouldn't hurt to check/clean connections at the back of the instrument cluster.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2008 | 02:26 PM
  #4  
jsutton's Avatar
jsutton
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
My truck had the problem of gas gauge not working and it was the brass float inside the gas tank had a hole in it, it was full of gas and wouldn't float anymore. Just check that after you ground the wire running to the gauge to make sure it pegs the gauge and the shows the gauge and wiring is good.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2008 | 02:55 PM
  #5  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Do the temp and oil gauge work fine ?

If so keep checking the harness for secure connections to sending unit.

Make sure there is a pulsing 5 volts at the sending unit wire connection,then get back with that info.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2008 | 04:04 PM
  #6  
pk8950's Avatar
pk8950
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Solon
temp and oil all work fine I'll check the sending unit wire and take some pics and get back to you guys tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks Paul
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2008 | 04:25 PM
  #7  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2008 | 08:30 PM
  #8  
pk8950's Avatar
pk8950
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Solon
Here are some pics

This is the wire that was on top of my front tank not hooked to anything.


the wire wrapped in my finger below is the one that is laying on my gas tank not attached to any thing I'm guessing the other connectors in the photo are for the options my truck doesnt have.


The green wire is the wire that was cut to the front gas tank. I repaired and heat shrinked. What is that wire because the black wire below it is the one hooked to ground?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 12:25 PM
  #9  
78f250_rls's Avatar
78f250_rls
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
When I took my truck down to the frame last weekend I found the same wire as in your first pic and mine was not pluged into anything either.

I will try to trace in to see where it goes into the harness.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 01:06 PM
  #10  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
The green wire that was blue from the cab is for the AFT fuel tank S/U



Just read the schematic I posted
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 03:59 PM
  #11  
pk8950's Avatar
pk8950
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Solon
After looking at the diagram the common point to both tanks is at 507 on the left side of diagram. So I need to find that point right and check power there?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 04:33 PM
  #12  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Splice 502 is in the 14401 (Main) Harness behind the dash which comes from Hazard flasher power.

 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:50 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE