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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Unhappy no electrical

I was wrenching on my 78' F250 (replaced the radiator, waterpump and thermostat), accidently let the smoke out of (fried) the starter solenoid. Replaced same, now I have no power. Battery checked good. No headlights, radio, nothing. I can't find any blown fuses etc. ...... Any troubleshooting help would be appreciated......Thanks
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 12:21 PM
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Check for continuity in your fusible links coming off the battery side of your solenoid, there's a good chance you fried one.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 01:00 PM
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Thanks for the reply.....I'm not too good electrically, I have not seen any fusible links......do i need to be looking in any particular area ? I followed the wires from the battery side of the solenoid on down and most of it is wrapped in electrical tape....also, I jumped both sides of the solenoid and the starter does engage....so ?
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 02:41 PM
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If they're wrapped in electrical tape a PO most likely replaced the fusible links (or just bypassed them) at one time or another, there's no reason for them to be bundled in tape, i'd unwrap the tape and see what you have going on down there.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by montana_highboy
If they're wrapped in electrical tape a PO most likely replaced the fusible links (or just bypassed them) at one time or another, there's no reason for them to be bundled in tape, i'd unwrap the tape and see what you have going on down there.
I thought them harneses came factery wraped in tape.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by scrapyardking
I thought them harneses came factery wraped in tape.
The fusible links coming off the solenoid are exposed.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:57 PM
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I'm back from work......Earlier I exposed the wiring and found a rubber (grommet ?) that had the word fusible link on it....However I found nothing that looks like a fusible link. Maybe the whole length of wiring is the link ? Also, further on down the wire it goes into a piece of rubber and connects with two other wires..comes out the other end as one...any other ideas would be greatly appreciated as we are down to one vehicle....thanks for your time FORD guys
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 78fordsupercab
I'm back from work......Earlier I exposed the wiring and found a rubber (grommet ?) that had the word fusible link on it....However I found nothing that looks like a fusible link. Maybe the whole length of wiring is the link ?
That's correct, the wire itself is the fusible link.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:04 AM
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ok, so which part of the wiring needs to be replaced ? Part of that piece goes to the starter, part of it connects with two other wires, one going to a connector that leads to a silver box,(next to the starter solenoid) the other wire is part of a taped up bundle that I haven'nt traced yet...and do you know where I could get this wiring? Surely I haven't destroyed that much of the wiring ? Thanks again........
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:31 AM
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I have seen it where the fusible link was fried but didn't melt the insulation around it making it difficult to tell if it was any good or not... One test I've done is to peel away enough insulation on both ends to expose the wire then run a regular jumper wire across to see if it does anything - if it does, than you can cut that section of fusible link out and splice in another piece - I've been able to buy fusible link wire at parts houses where it is sold by the foot...
 
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