Turn key, nothin'
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: La Crosse, Kansas
Turn key, nothin'
Hey Y'all,
I've got a 1980 F350 2WD DRW 460 4spd and I'm having some problems getting her to do anything when I turn the key. This literally happened overnight, and it's kicking my ***. I'm not getting power to the radio, blower motor, ignition coil, starter, zero. I did a little shotgun repair of replacing the ignition switch ($10). Didn't help. Anyone have a similar issue with hopefully a simple fix that I'm overlooking?
I've got a 1980 F350 2WD DRW 460 4spd and I'm having some problems getting her to do anything when I turn the key. This literally happened overnight, and it's kicking my ***. I'm not getting power to the radio, blower motor, ignition coil, starter, zero. I did a little shotgun repair of replacing the ignition switch ($10). Didn't help. Anyone have a similar issue with hopefully a simple fix that I'm overlooking?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Do you have a decent voltage meter?
Put the battery on a charger, put it back in the truck, and test the voltage: + lead on the battery side of the solenoid and - lead at the - post on the battery. If you get ~12, then check with the - lead to chassis ground. My bet is a bad battery cable.
Next, check the fuse link connected along side the positive cable at the solenoid.
Put the battery on a charger, put it back in the truck, and test the voltage: + lead on the battery side of the solenoid and - lead at the - post on the battery. If you get ~12, then check with the - lead to chassis ground. My bet is a bad battery cable.
Next, check the fuse link connected along side the positive cable at the solenoid.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: La Crosse, Kansas
will that fusible link cause power loss to everything? It looks blown I'll have to wait till I can get my multimeter from the shop tomorrow but i'll check that. Any other possibilities?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
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From: Virginia
If the headlights work, then that main fusible link is good. Try to start it with the headlights on if they work. Have someone watch them, and turn the key. If they go completely out, then I would suspect a bad battery, bad battery cable, or bad cable connection.
If they stay bright, then I would follow that one smaller wire with the fusible link down into the loom, and look for other fusible links and factory splices that like to get corroded. Remember, if you have no headlights too, then that main fusible link is suspect.
If they stay bright, then I would follow that one smaller wire with the fusible link down into the loom, and look for other fusible links and factory splices that like to get corroded. Remember, if you have no headlights too, then that main fusible link is suspect.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 0
From: Layton, Ut
I had that same problem with my 84 and I put it into reverse and let it roll a little then hit the brakes, put it back into park and it started right up...
Not sure if this will help but it worked for me...
Not sure if this will help but it worked for me...
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: La Crosse, Kansas
It sounds like you had a neutral safety switch headed south on you Darksidesm. I will work on the truck this evening with both of your's advice in mind. Thank you all and if anyone has any other advice in the mean time please let me know!
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New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I had exactly the same problem with my 88 a couple months ago. No juice to the cab whatsover, but I had headlights. After changing the ignition switch and starter relay, I started checking wires and connections. Finally tracked it down to a corroded wire just before it goes thru the firewall. It was one of the yellow wires that carries power to the cab. I just happened to notice that a 1" section of the wire looked a little swollen. Got lucky. Problem solved.
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