I''ve got a 94 F150 I6 Manual 2wd and suddenly after changing the battery cables, I have no electrical what so ever. I changed the solenoid, check all the connection points on the new battery cables, battery is new, changed out the ignition switch and have had the alternator and started checked. I''m now out of ideas and being new to this area can''t call a friend to come look.

How it happened:

After changing the battery out due to the old one going bad, I then new I was going to need new cables (cut the cover back about 10 inches from the terminal and still saw corrosion). I didn''t replace them right away after finding out the price on OEM replacements and about a month later start up started getting a little sluggish. It got worse over the next 2 weeks and finally one day my battery was dead so I checked the alternator and it was fine so I went ahead and replaced the cables. Everything before I replaced them was running fine, but after I got them back on and tried to start it back up I had no electrical what so ever, not even headlights. After a few suggestions on replacing cheap parts I now have a new ignition switch (old one was shot anyways, could turn the guard around w/o the key and start it with anything resembeling a key) and replaced the solenoid.

Right now as it sits, I can jump the solenoid and get power while in the accessory and run positions (and headlights all the time), but when I turn it over to start I lose all electrical again.

I''m now lost for ideas and soon going to get it towed to the shop.

Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

Since jumping the solenoid works, check the two small wires to the solenoid, are they clean and tight? You have voltage there when the ignition switch is turn to on? Did you make sure you have clean grounds? Do you have the ground wire located in the starter motor area, and if so, it's clean and tight. If this one is not a good ground, the truck will apear to be dead.

 

I`m with t4 on the grounds. Could you clarify what you mean by "jumping the solenoid"? I assume you jump the two large terminals on the relay on the inner fender, right? If so the engine should crank. Does it crank over? Also the actual ign. switch is on top of the steering column under the dash, operated by a rod connected to the key switch. This may be faulty or not being operated fully by the key. However first thing to check is the ground wire and its connections.