1985 F-250 electrical problems

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Aug 9, 2009 | 03:47 PM

usmc9005

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1985 F-250 electrical problems

I have a 1985 F-250 XLT 4X4 with a 7.5L 460. There is an electrical problem in the steering column, when i turn the wheel to the left or right all the power to my dash gauges, turn signals and headlights lose power.

Where the column comes down through the firewall, the dipstick leans up against it and sparks when moved around, so im guessing that it is grounding the column out.

What could be causing the problem or since the dipstick is sparking against the column, could there be a bare wire on the block and the dipstick is completing the circuit?

Aug 9, 2009 | 06:07 PM

ctubutis

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Quote:

Originally Posted by usmc9005

What could be causing the problem or since the dipstick is sparking against the column, could there be a bare wire on the block and the dipstick is completing the circuit?

My first guess is a short inside the steering column (turn signal switch wiring)
but the fact that you're losing power to your headlights would seem to negate
that possibility. Look under the hood, are there any wiring harnesses rubbing
against the steering column or its components? How about under the dash; the
ignition switch is located on the top of the column, just behind/underneath the
dash assembly; is there anything under there that's rubbing and causing a
short?

The engine block is an electrical ground (as is the body) so, you're correct in
that the steering column seems to be getting energized somehow and is
grounding through the dipstick.