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88 F-150 6 cyclinder


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patrickfoy5
New User

Jul 14, 2008, 8:06 AM

Post #1 of 2 (2942 views)
post icon 88 F-150 6 cyclinder Sign In

I need your help. My 88 Ford Truck, straight 6, has a problem I thought I could handle. But after replacing the starter, start selinod, checking the battery and the amps out put on the alternator, I'm baffled. The engine starts fine when it's not hot. As soon as a drive 5-10 miles and shut it off for 2-5 minutes, it won't start again until it cools a while. Then it starts right up. If I try and start it before it cools, it drags and drags and eventually starts sometimes, but most of the time it draws the battery down.

Have you ever ran accross this?

I really appriciate any help you can give.

Thanks Patrick


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Jul 16, 2008, 12:25 PM

Post #2 of 2 (2930 views)
Re: 88 F-150 6 cyclinder Sign In

I would start by checking & cleaning all of the main cable connections. From battery to the starter relay, relay to the starter for the positive side. Then from the battery negative to the engine block for the ground side of the circuit.
If the problem is still there; I would try testing the cables them selves, by doing voltage drop tests across the different cables. The best way to do this is with a digital voltmeter.
Start at the battery by connecting the positive voltmeter lead to battery positive terminal and negative meter lead to the starter relay stud.
Now crank the engine; you shouldn’t have anymore then .25 (1/4) of a volt showing on the meter, while cranking the engine.
If that cable tested ok; move your voltmeter leads to the next cable that is between the starter relay stud and the starter’s positive cable connection. Then test the ground cable the same way by connecting the negative meter lead to the engine block and the positive to battery negative.
Again you shouldn’t see any more then .25 volts maximum on any of the cables during cranking.
What we’re doing is looking for the amount of voltage that is being used up by the cables, while passing through the cables. We’re not testing for available system voltage on these cables, as you would by placing one meter lead on battery positive and the other on negative; this would show you battery voltage.

Dan.



Canadian "EH"










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