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Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Seegar
Novice
Jan 26, 2009, 2:00 PM
Post #1 of 10
(1733 views)
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Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Hi,
I have a 1984 Ford F-150 w/ a 351w.
Last night I pulled into the driveway to unload some junk into the garage. The lights were off and key out of the ignition while I was unloading.
When I went to move the truck, it wouldn't start. No lings, no accessories, no headlights. Nothing.
I got out to pop the hood and the headlights came on (forgot to turn the switch back off when checking the headlights). So I got back in to start it up and saw that the dome light and dash lights were on also. I went to start it up and all the lights went out and there was no ignition. The starter didn't turn over or click. Nothing.
I figured I had a dead battery, so I got my wifes honda to jump it. Hooked up the cables and went to try the ignition in the truck and nothing (this while my wife was reving the honda).
I disconnected the cables, got back in the truck, tried the ignition a couple of times.. still nothing. I opened the door to get out and the interior light came on. I flicked on the headlights and they came on. I closed the door, turned off the headlights. The dashlights were still working. I tried the ignition and the dash lights went out again and the truck wouldn't start.
I tried jumping the truck again, but it just won't do anything. When I hook up the cables to the honda and my truck and try to see if I can get the interior lights to come on in the truck, there is nothing and the truck still doesn't even attempt to start when I turn in the ignition.
Any help would be appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2009, 2:20 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1731 views)
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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When all electrical power cuts out like that it's usually a cable connection. In that while jumpers were on outiside of truck's battery cables I'd sooner suspect connections at the solenoid, starter or the ground cable where it attaches to the engine block. Still worth cleaning up battery posts and cables at the battery - replace as needed.
Note: Jumping is tricky and sometimes you think you have a good strong connection and don't. Sometimes you really have to jossle them and or leave them on for a while to assist with suspected drained battery. Quality of jumpers vary widely and are not always dependable,
T
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Seegar
Novice
Jan 26, 2009, 2:26 PM
Post #3 of 10
(1729 views)
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Thanks for the reply.
I plan on removing the battery and take it in to be tested when I get home. The truck ran fine and was only off for 20 minutes before I tried to move it and it wouldn't start. I did have the battery tested in November and it checked out O.K. I got in it several more times during the night, to see if the interior lights or accessories would come back on, but they never did.
I'll check the connections for the ground, starter and solenoid and clean up the battery terminals. Hopefully I can get home before it gets too dark!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 26, 2009, 2:43 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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If you are in a jam right now and get this note. Try tugging (go easy) on cables or twisting them by hand if no tools available.
When you said that everything went out and did come back on that's SOOOO common to a lousy connection despite how they may look by eye. Even tight there might be just a hair of real connection that gets hot and disconnects with any load on it and later small items like some lights may return but a starter takes totally power in comparison.
Again if stuck: Tug, twist but if using a metal too use all caution not to allow tool to touch anything. Tap with plastic, use glove - whatever and you usually can get one of these to start again in a jam. If a wire falls right off or breaks from excessive corrosion then you know which one was the culprit and put it safely aside till you can deal with it properly.
Hey - Do any of this with keys out, cooler engine and away from hot parts - AYOR but it could get you going.
Good luck,
T
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Seegar
Novice
Jan 27, 2009, 12:26 PM
Post #5 of 10
(1705 views)
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Thanks for the help!
I got home popped the hood on the truck, put the key in and the accessories came on. Tried to start it and everything went dead like before. I took the keys out, turned the headlight switch to the on position and started wiggling wires under the hood. When I got to the cable connected to the negative terminal on the battery, I herd slight crackling and the headlights came on. I inspected the cable and saw no breaks in the cable jacket.
I finally noticed that the crackling was coming from a slight fray where the cable was crimped into the battery connector. When I jiggled the cable the headlights would go on and off.
I disconnected all battery cables, removed the cable from the connector, cut back the frayed part and re-crimped the cable into the connector. Cleaned the post and connector and hooked everything back up.
Got in the truck and it started right away.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2009, 1:04 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Does this use some cable end like the one shown? Those are when you cut off a bad one and need a TEMPORARY FIX. They don't last and cable should be replaced. There are high quality PERMANANT cable splice ends with either eyelet or this clamp style. It's gotta be well done or will be a constant headache,
T
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Seegar
Novice
Jan 27, 2009, 1:39 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Yes, it looks exactly like the one pictured. Except mine looks ten years older.
Does the higher quality style have a thicker compression fitting? The one pictured above seems like it would have a tendency to fray the cable.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2009, 6:09 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Ok: Those are for use with a jack knife on the side of the road to get you you home only! They aren't meant to leave on but of course folks do.
When it's too fussy to just replace the whole cable vs just the end I buy an splice that isn't the $1 buck POS you have there but might be $12 now. You cut the cable clean off and insert the good heavy gauge of what's left of the original into it and it cranks down making a splice that's dang near as good as a whole new cable which does come with new ends.
I don't find them everywhere but my local NAPA does get them for me and back when (retired now a looooong time) they were just on a card display on the wall type thing. I can't find a picture of just what I mean but it a cable end splice for "top post" type terminals which Ford uses and when done it has a plastic box that snaps over the spot you spliced. That's considered a "PERMANANT" fix for a lousy cable end - battery ends. They make them for the GM side post type too when or if you ever need that type.
Related but off exact Topic: Ages ago cables were all fine copper strands with real LEAD clamp ends. They made reamers and lead spacers to service cable ends and refinish posts. New bolts were common to replace too. Copper got expensive and now they don't want any lead in the vehicles anywhere as it not friendly for recycling the whole thing some day down the road so they use alternative metals and they don't hold up as well - What's new with that?
You can continue to use what you have if you keep it cleaned and look at its condition - carry some tools to fix it where and when it does just what it did to you or have a whole cheapo end on hand again. Keep a battery clean in general and use grease just on the cut parts or stuff subject to corrode. Any grease is better than none. They sell special stuff but silicone or dielectic grease is great or even vasoline will do.
Note: Your problem WAS a common thing and still is. Now it's more important the new the vehicle is because memory things get lost for high tech stuff in the car - not just a clock and radio presets anymore! Some cars lose codes to start, radio issues, antitheft screwups, remote starters and a whole list of bull you don't need.
Good luck with the fix. Ford whole cables shouldn't be that hard or expensive to replace if needed. Watch out NOT to break off at starter motor if you go there,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 27, 2009, 6:17 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Language Option   That's the better stuff if that picture shows, T
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Seegar
Novice
Jan 28, 2009, 11:58 AM
Post #10 of 10
(1670 views)
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Re: Can't Jump start truck and wierd electrical issues
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Tom,
Thanks for all your help. I think I'm going to go the route of replacing the entire cable. I've found one at a local auto parts store and will pick it up on the way home.
Again, thank you for all the info!
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