Starting problems
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Starting problems
This is my first post, hope someone can assist me with a cranking problem. I have a 1987 ford-150 six cylinder (4.0 L), 4 speed with a granny gear with approx 20,00 miles on a replacement engine. It starts fine the first time however, after driving for at least 15 minutes or more and the truck is turned off, It will not restart unless the truck sits for about 15 minutes or longer. this problem existed with the original motor and the replacement engine. I have replaced the starter twice and the alternator once and the battery twice along with new battery cables. In addition, I have installed a heat sheild on the starter and still experiencing the same issue. When experiencing this problem, the starter sounds like the battery is low or dead even with a new battery. As this is my first post if I have left any
information out then please let me know and I will add any information needed. I thank all in advance for any help provided.
information out then please let me know and I will add any information needed. I thank all in advance for any help provided.
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The big cable---it should go to the engine ------the engine sets in rubber mounts-so it is isolated from the frames ground to some degree.
There should also be a ground from the battery to the frame/body and the engine should have a ground wire or 2 going to the body
There should also be a ground from the battery to the frame/body and the engine should have a ground wire or 2 going to the body
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From: Easton,Ks
The large ground cable is to be bolted to one of the starter mounting bolts on a 4.9L engine.
There also has to be a small wire (10 GA) from the battery NEG (-) post to the body (not the frame).
You do not have to run a ground to the frame unless you are pulling a trailer.
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It appears that the ground cable that is bolted to the frame was done at the factory, but not positive. If I understand right, by possibly removing the ground cable from the frame and attaching it one of the starting mounting bolts might solve my problem. If so, I'll give that a shot.
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From: Easton,Ks
Yes that is correct, try it.
The factory would have ran the ground cable to the starter mounting bolt for the engine and starting motor. But it would also have had a center lug part way down the cable that was bolted to the frame. This lug provided a ground if the truck should pull a trailer or if it had no rear bumper. The frame would then have provided a ground for the license plate lamp with that lug and also the trailer ground. The trailer ground was for the trailer lights and brakes.
There was also two other wires from the neg post of the battery, one to the body and another other one for the computer.
The factory would have ran the ground cable to the starter mounting bolt for the engine and starting motor. But it would also have had a center lug part way down the cable that was bolted to the frame. This lug provided a ground if the truck should pull a trailer or if it had no rear bumper. The frame would then have provided a ground for the license plate lamp with that lug and also the trailer ground. The trailer ground was for the trailer lights and brakes.
There was also two other wires from the neg post of the battery, one to the body and another other one for the computer.
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Upon closer observation, I did fnd that the ground cable was bolted to a center lug on the frame about half way to the starter and then another cable attached at the center lug, thus extending to the starter. I removed the connection lug, cleaned both connections to insure a proper ground. After a road test, I still had the same problem. However, I did notice that I have only one wire running from the neg post of the battery.
I did not replaced either of the cables in order to have one continous run to the starter, but would have no problem in doing so if you think it might help.
I did not replaced either of the cables in order to have one continous run to the starter, but would have no problem in doing so if you think it might help.
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First of all, thanks to all for assisting me with this issue. The cables have not been changed in awhile, I will do that, thanks. In curiosity, does anyone know or have a suggistions or as why cranking would be an issue after the truck has been driven as opposed to cranking it when it was cold or sits for about 15 minutes?
