Okay.... what electronics did I just torch? 86 F150 302
#1
05-27-2018, 08:26 PM
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Okay.... what electronics did I just torch? 86 F150 302
Let me preface this with: I’m an idiot.
I was adjusting the alternator to get the belt over it and the battery was connected. I pulled the alt too hard and the black rectangular connector grounded out against the frane for several seconds. There was smoke coming from somewhere around either the alternator, or the battery.
Now, everything is connected properly, the battery has tested good, but I am getting no response from any of the electronics when I turn the key into the on position. The headlights also do not come on.
so, if the battery is good, what can I anticipate to have fried with my mistake?
thanks in advance!
I was adjusting the alternator to get the belt over it and the battery was connected. I pulled the alt too hard and the black rectangular connector grounded out against the frane for several seconds. There was smoke coming from somewhere around either the alternator, or the battery.
Now, everything is connected properly, the battery has tested good, but I am getting no response from any of the electronics when I turn the key into the on position. The headlights also do not come on.
so, if the battery is good, what can I anticipate to have fried with my mistake?
thanks in advance!
Last edited by whoamonga; 05-27-2018 at 08:38 PM. Reason: Typo
#2
05-27-2018, 09:02 PM
#3
05-27-2018, 10:15 PM
I think there are 2 maybe 3 of them. Disconnect the neg side of batt first before any more work is done. Undo the nut on the solenoid holding the battery cable on.
Now to test what fuse link is bad use a test light that can go thru the insulation. Check for power where it is hooked to at solenoid and work your way down the wire. If no power down the wire it blew the wire inside.
Sometimes you can try bending the fuse wire and where it makes a sharp bend is where it blew.
Dave ----
#4
05-28-2018, 06:13 AM
Page 14 shows pictures of the fusible links and their locations. Page 15 shows them in the wiring diagrams.
Charge & Power Distribution - Gasoline Engines - ???Gary's Garagemahal
Charge & Power Distribution - Gasoline Engines - ???Gary's Garagemahal
#5
05-29-2018, 12:33 PM
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Wow. I'd never heard of fusible links before. In pulling the engine, I would find wires that terminated into a weird rubber block, but didn't know what that was. Is that a type of fusible link?
I'll follow the diagram and check voltage at all points leading from the batters.
But, to replace a fusible link... do you just snip it off the line and solder in a matching gauge replacement?
Many thanks, guys! I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.
I'll follow the diagram and check voltage at all points leading from the batters.
But, to replace a fusible link... do you just snip it off the line and solder in a matching gauge replacement?
Many thanks, guys! I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.
#6
05-29-2018, 01:08 PM
Think of fuse link as a slow blow fuse.
If you had a normal fuse there as soon as a heavy load was put on it it would blow but it needed a fuse protection so the fuse link.
All the links should be off the solinoid where the positive battery cable bolt to.
Should be 2 or 3 there.
Try grabbing it at the rubber and bending it in a arc. If it makes a sharp bend that is where it blew. A test light would prove it.
The parts stores should have replacements they crimp on what is left of the wire.
Dave - - - -
If you had a normal fuse there as soon as a heavy load was put on it it would blow but it needed a fuse protection so the fuse link.
All the links should be off the solinoid where the positive battery cable bolt to.
Should be 2 or 3 there.
Try grabbing it at the rubber and bending it in a arc. If it makes a sharp bend that is where it blew. A test light would prove it.
The parts stores should have replacements they crimp on what is left of the wire.
Dave - - - -
#7
05-29-2018, 05:22 PM
A fusible link is just a undersized piece of wire with special fire resistant insulation on it, so when it overheats and burns out, it will not catch stuff around it on fire. They are tough, and small enough to be incorporated right into the harness. They are only there in case something seriously bad happens, and usually only blow during accidents and people doing dumb stuff(we have all done it at one time or another).
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#8
05-30-2018, 10:40 AM
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I went digging around to check the fusible links and guess what... I found the orange/black lead had been pulled away from the connection at the solenoid when the alternator fell. Guess it pulled it down? Reconnected it and the pickup started right up. Sounded awful, but that's another forum for another time. Like... 4 minutes from now. 
Thanks for all the help!
Thanks for all the help!
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