Electrical Issue...My fault!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
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From: MASS
Electrical Issue...My fault!
Well, I caused a short in my ignition... I know, I know, I know...always disconnect the battery when you’re doing ANYTHING with the electrical.
When it happened, I heard a little sparking around the ignition which I was causing, but then I heard something frying under the hood and smoking heavily. By the time I got the hood up I could tell it was coming from near the battery and more specifically right at the starter solenoid mounted on the fender.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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Now I have absolutely not electrical on the truck. Nothing!<o></o>
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If it were the solenoid that fried, would it cause everything from that point on to not work? Seems logical as the positive lead from battery goes directly to that before branching off through rest of truck.<o></o>
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Any thoughts or ways to test it with a meter?<o></o>
When it happened, I heard a little sparking around the ignition which I was causing, but then I heard something frying under the hood and smoking heavily. By the time I got the hood up I could tell it was coming from near the battery and more specifically right at the starter solenoid mounted on the fender.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>Now I have absolutely not electrical on the truck. Nothing!<o
></o><o
></o>If it were the solenoid that fried, would it cause everything from that point on to not work? Seems logical as the positive lead from battery goes directly to that before branching off through rest of truck.<o
></o><o
></o>Any thoughts or ways to test it with a meter?<o
></o>
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
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From: MASS
Ya...just found this recent thread. Looking into this more...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ition-fun.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ition-fun.html
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Yeah, sounds like the fusible link burnt out.
Here is a quick and dirty way to check the fusible link. Grab both ends of the wire and tug on it. If it stretches or feels "soft" the fusible link is burnt out and needs to be replaced.
You can get fusible link wires from any auto parts store. Just be sure you get the same gauge as you're replacing and splice it in.
Here is a quick and dirty way to check the fusible link. Grab both ends of the wire and tug on it. If it stretches or feels "soft" the fusible link is burnt out and needs to be replaced.
You can get fusible link wires from any auto parts store. Just be sure you get the same gauge as you're replacing and splice it in.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: MASS
Well, I had an hour this afternoon to see what was going on. Let me tell you what I found out!
Thanks to your guys info, I started searching all the fusible links in the area of the solenoid where I saw most of the smoke. With a test light I started checking before and after all the half dozen or so fusible links and everything was showing power before and aft. Hmmm....
So I started undoing the harnesses a bit and I feel that one wire feels real soft for about an inch so in the middle of the line. I put the tes light on it and no power after the softness.
Seem as though the wire itself burned out before the fusible link let go!!!!!!!
SCARY THOUGHT!!!!!! At least I know how to fix it but makes me worry about the whole wiring of the truck. I intend on replacing the harness next year when I frame off it, but may have to do so before then. That would stink.
Thanks for the tips though.
Thanks to your guys info, I started searching all the fusible links in the area of the solenoid where I saw most of the smoke. With a test light I started checking before and after all the half dozen or so fusible links and everything was showing power before and aft. Hmmm....
So I started undoing the harnesses a bit and I feel that one wire feels real soft for about an inch so in the middle of the line. I put the tes light on it and no power after the softness.
Seem as though the wire itself burned out before the fusible link let go!!!!!!!
SCARY THOUGHT!!!!!! At least I know how to fix it but makes me worry about the whole wiring of the truck. I intend on replacing the harness next year when I frame off it, but may have to do so before then. That would stink.
Thanks for the tips though.
