Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

I really need help! Starting Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2009 | 01:11 PM
  #31  
'73-'79CRAZED1!!'s Avatar
'73-'79CRAZED1!!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Just a reminder: If you're gonna' tackle any wire issues, you may want to check those fusible links first. Guess it's because I've had a nasty time with those suckers...Anyways, thanks for sharing, and good luck dude.........
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2009 | 04:17 PM
  #32  
shooer's Avatar
shooer
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
From: southern cal.
Originally Posted by BlackLabel78
SHE"S ALIVE! I got her running today finally! Runs great, sounds great and the new tranny shifts like a dream! However, when I was driving around I notice the headlights started to slowly dim and the the radio stopped working. I shut it off and tried to restart it when I got home and nothing. The battery is dead. I was able to jump it but it took awhile to do so. I had the battery checked awhile ago and tested fine. Could all the turning over (trying to get it running) the past couple of weeks caused the battery to not accept a charge? Or could it be my alternator or my voltage regulator? Please share your endless wisdom!
Your description of the headlights and radio behavior sounds just like you were not getting any juice to the battery but using up what it had by running the engine etc.This is exactly what happens when an alternator belt comes off or an alt quits. The engine would have eventually died from lack of spark if you had continued to drive it.Check the alternator belt is there and tight. Pull and have the alternator checked or drive the whole thing in to Sears. They used to do charging system checks free trying to sell batteries. Less common failure is the regulator.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 03:50 PM
  #33  
BlackLabel78's Avatar
BlackLabel78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
So I checked the voltage on the battery and it was at 7.5 volts. I took it in got it charged and it tested good. I put it back in the truck started it up and checked the voltage and it was still 12 volts. It then began to slowly drop. Next I checked the alt belt and it seemed to be tight enough. Now what?
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2009 | 04:46 PM
  #34  
Furyus1's Avatar
Furyus1
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
Pull the alternator off and take it in to get tested. I'm betting it's bad...
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #35  
'73-'79CRAZED1!!'s Avatar
'73-'79CRAZED1!!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
It's a good chance it is a bad alternator, but if not, it's probably a bad connection some where. It still sounds like a bad fusible link to me. They are usually located up by the solenoid (very easy to replace). Good luck..
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 03:44 PM
  #36  
BlackLabel78's Avatar
BlackLabel78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
I took the alt in and had it tested. It was bad. SO I purchased a lifetime alt and took it home......I forgot to mention I also replaced the water-pump gaskets because they were leaking. Anyway, I put it in the truck and started it up and still only < 12volts. I checked the fusible link right by the soleniod and it had current on both sides of the link. I am at a loss here. Is there anything in the ignition area the has to do with the alt. I had to wire in a switch to drive it and maybe I missed something that works with the alt.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:35 PM
  #37  
BlackLabel78's Avatar
BlackLabel78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
ANYONE? Got any ideas?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 10:29 PM
  #38  
70sfordguy's Avatar
70sfordguy
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Canada
what do you mean when you said ...I had to wire in a switch to drive it.....
what does the switch do?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 10:32 PM
  #39  
Old Brown Truck's Avatar
Old Brown Truck
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Skyway, WA
Regulator?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2009 | 11:31 PM
  #40  
BlackLabel78's Avatar
BlackLabel78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 70sfordguy
what do you mean when you said ...I had to wire in a switch to drive it.....
what does the switch do?
It is basically a switch that does what those under-the-hood remote starters do. I have to turn the key to run then press the button and it starts. It is temp untill I figure what is going on with the ignition wiring.

So does the alt have any wiring that goes through the ignition switch that may be messed up and cause it not to allow the alt to charge?
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:07 AM
  #41  
70sfordguy's Avatar
70sfordguy
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Canada
When they replaced your tranny did they mess up the neutral safety switch? Could be why it wont crank.
The small connector (red) on the solenoid next to the large + battery terminal should be +12v when the key is in start position. The other small terminal (blue) should be +12v while it is cranking only to feed the fuel pump & coil circuit (while cranking).
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:42 AM
  #42  
BlackLabel78's Avatar
BlackLabel78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 70sfordguy
When they replaced your tranny did they mess up the neutral safety switch? Could be why it wont crank.
The small connector (red) on the solenoid next to the large + battery terminal should be +12v when the key is in start position. The other small terminal (blue) should be +12v while it is cranking only to feed the fuel pump & coil circuit (while cranking).
It starts and runs and drives great......it just wont charge the battery.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 01:06 AM
  #43  
70sfordguy's Avatar
70sfordguy
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Canada
disconnect the red wire on the alternator and with an ohm meter test it to ground. If you get continuity it is grounded somewhere. With the truck running and the wire off check the post on the alternator for +12 volts.
Watch out for the fan and belts
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 10:00 AM
  #44  
Broncoholic1's Avatar
Broncoholic1
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 0
From: Union Lake MI
Put in a new Voltage regulator if you have not done it yet.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #45  
shooer's Avatar
shooer
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
From: southern cal.
As long as were replacing stuff....try a new regulator. The alternator should be putting out closer to 14 right? The regulator decides if the battery needs it or not. (When it's working right.)
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:36 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE