90 F250 electrical gremlin
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From: norcal
90 F250 electrical gremlin
Hi all
My truck (that has been the best money I've ever spent) started doing something that must be fixed now.
It will randomly die. Lights, gauges, engine- everything. Its just for a moment then works fine. Its done it at startup, and while on the road. Is it a disconnect like a broken wire etc or a direct short? Where should I start? All connections look and feel fine. Any ideas?
Its a 90 F250HD 351 5Sp 4X4 with ~112,000 miles. I'm the original owner, and have never messed with the wiring other than add a trailer brake 6 years ago. Any comments will be appreciated
Ken
My truck (that has been the best money I've ever spent) started doing something that must be fixed now.
It will randomly die. Lights, gauges, engine- everything. Its just for a moment then works fine. Its done it at startup, and while on the road. Is it a disconnect like a broken wire etc or a direct short? Where should I start? All connections look and feel fine. Any ideas?
Its a 90 F250HD 351 5Sp 4X4 with ~112,000 miles. I'm the original owner, and have never messed with the wiring other than add a trailer brake 6 years ago. Any comments will be appreciated
Ken
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check, then double check your grounds (body/engine side and battery side) and the battery post connections. if you can move the battery terminal connections by hand they are not on there well enough.
Make sure the connection to the alternator is clean and tight. Start the truck, and while its idling, wiggle all the connections to see if you can narrow down if it may be a bad or internally corroded cable.
Make sure the connection to the alternator is clean and tight. Start the truck, and while its idling, wiggle all the connections to see if you can narrow down if it may be a bad or internally corroded cable.
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From: norcal
Good morning everyone- Im back. So far its not throwing any codes, and all the connectors are tight and appear to be OK. When I started it to check the EO codes, the glitch showed up. The starter bumped, then everything died. I released the ign, and it worked fine.
I'm going to go over the connectors again, but meanwhile, what could kill the entire electrical like that? I am concerned about a momentary direct short, but wracking my brain doesnt give me any ideas at other possibilities.
Could the ign switch fail in such a way to disconnect all power?
Thanks for the ideas so far, keep em coming please!
Ken
I'm going to go over the connectors again, but meanwhile, what could kill the entire electrical like that? I am concerned about a momentary direct short, but wracking my brain doesnt give me any ideas at other possibilities.
Could the ign switch fail in such a way to disconnect all power?
Thanks for the ideas so far, keep em coming please!
Ken
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From: Germany
Does it seem like you are turning the key as far as you can turn it in order to start? There was times that mine would kill your fingers trying to get it started, especially on a hot day. The ignition switch down on the column was loose and slipped down a little. Check that out, may be your money maker.
Dave
Dave
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From: norcal
OK I inspected the ign switch and it looks fine, no smells or heat damage etc (adjusting it to engage properly is kind of a hassle). I even had the alternator checked (at 2 shops multiple times) and its good.
While turning this over in my mind I remembered about 2 months ago I jumped a vehicle, and crossed the cables for a big spark. Is there a main fusible link or fuse somewhere I may have damaged? I'd like to inspect that next.
Lastly a parts guy thinks that the clutch interlock switch *may* be causing all this, think it could?
I much appreciate the comments and interest with this dilemma.
Ken
While turning this over in my mind I remembered about 2 months ago I jumped a vehicle, and crossed the cables for a big spark. Is there a main fusible link or fuse somewhere I may have damaged? I'd like to inspect that next.
Lastly a parts guy thinks that the clutch interlock switch *may* be causing all this, think it could?
I much appreciate the comments and interest with this dilemma.
Ken
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From: The OC
Check the fusible links by the starter solenoid. Get someone to help you with the ignition and have them watch your gauges while you wiggle the links. Have them turn the key on, you wiggle or lightly tug on the fusible links, but don't pull too hard. If it is a bad link, it will show itself with the wiggle test.
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From: Germany
But, did you do it? Just have toremove the fuse box cover and the 4 or 6 bolts that hold the steering column bracket, the two switch nuts are right there and the switch slides up and down almost 1/2 inch.
Your call.
Dave
Your call.
Dave
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From: norcal
Check the fusible links by the starter solenoid. Get someone to help you with the ignition and have them watch your gauges while you wiggle the links. Have them turn the key on, you wiggle or lightly tug on the fusible links, but don't pull too hard. If it is a bad link, it will show itself with the wiggle test.
But, did you do it? Just have toremove the fuse box cover and the 4 or 6 bolts that hold the steering column bracket, the two switch nuts are right there and the switch slides up and down almost 1/2 inch.
Your call.
Dave
Your call.
Dave
I didn't need to remove the fuse box or anything else, guess I got lucky huh?
This other problem is very troubling, as this is my daily driver and I need the dependability.
Thanks for trying to help me with this
Ken
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From: norcal
Well I've tried it out a few times today, and its not acting up. Why do I have a feeling it will when I need to be somewhere on time? 
Thanks for all the input and interest, have a happy Thanksgiving everyone
(luv that little smilie)
Ken
Thanks for all the input and interest, have a happy Thanksgiving everyone
(luv that little smilie)Ken
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From: Sand Lake, MI
You don't have a battery in it that is just a tad to tall allowing the positive post to hit and ground out against the hood when you hit bumps/holes in the road do you?
Just a thought.....
Just a thought.....
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From: norcal
Dan I have a stock Motorcraft bettery in there. The original lasted 11 years, I was so impressed I bought one from Geweke Ford in Yuba City CA for a replacement.
(You guys have the coolest smilies here)
Ken
(You guys have the coolest smilies here)
Ken
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From: Michigan
Double check your connections at the starter relay(?) on the firewall. I had a similar issue with all electrical components would go out when you turn the key to start. Turn the key back and on a couple times and it would finally go. Turns out there was a little corrosion on the terminals at that relay. Cleaned it all up and secured everything. Good as new.
Although this never happened to me when driving, like yours, give it a shot.
Although this never happened to me when driving, like yours, give it a shot.