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Electrical Issues - 84 F250

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swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Gary, I don't know if it's too late but there is some good news about the travel rules in New Mexico. I think the 14 day thing has been scaled back. I'm just going to post the link instead of trying to explain it myself.

https://www.sfreporter.com/news/2020/09/03/gov-amends-travel-quarantine-rules/

Hope you're having a good weekend! The new job has me working 9 and 10 hour days so I couldn't get in gear to submit my truck for the show

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

Gary Lewis

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

Sam - Thanks, but it is a bit too late as we already have our reservations for Colorado. Shucks!

As for the weekend, it has been busy - mostly computing. I think I've processed ~30 show entries in the last two days.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Had a little time to look thru more wires today.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

Gary Lewis

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

You are looking a little long in the tooth there, Sam.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

I dont shave on the weekends

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Havent driven the truck in almost a month and the batteries ran down to about 4v. We had some snow and a good cold stretch, so I should have known to keep them charged up if its going to sit that long.

But something else is going on...

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

You need to fully recharge the battery(ies) and then we'll go disconnecting circuits until the drain is tracked down.

It's probably best to remove one of the cables at this point.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

Yes, and when you are disconnecting circuits I like to have a DVM between the battery's positive post and the positive cable to see which circuit is causing a drain. I always like to start on the 10 amp setting and then work down when I find that there's just a small current drain.

Oh yes, disconnect the dome and courtesy lights so you can have the door open.

But, if you are looking for a reason to buy a new tool, I really like this tester from Harbor Freight. You don't have to put the DVM between the battery and the positive cable, pull a fuse, go look, come back, etc. Just pull a fuse and plug this thing in and it'll tell you what the current draw is on that circuit.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Ok, Im going to spend a couple hours doing more tests this weekend.
Unfortunately, I just went to HF yesterday. I should have checked this thread earlier.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

Remove the positive lead from the main battery and put them on the charger tonight, so they are topped off before you start testing.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Ive had them on the charger this weekend so last I checked they were at 13.09 with the charger running.
Also, since I put a new regulator in last winter, the alternator charges fine. So if I can get the truck started in the morning, Im usually fine.

I just reread what you said about that tool, Gary, and I might be making another trip to HF soon.

Also, as Ive mentioned before, this truck has all sorts of loose wires from removed accesories. Whats a good way to cap these until I sort them out?

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

You changed the regulator but that doesn't mean the triode inside the alternator is good.
Use the diode test function of your multimeter with the charge cable disconnected to make sure there's no continuity to ground.

Probably the easiest solution for random loose wire ends is to cover them in adhesive shrink tube.
You can get a plastic box assortment at Horrid Fate for $2.99.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

I did another draw test again and all I found was a very short blip of a couple amps on the large cable that goes to the secondary battery. The only thing powered directly off the secondary battery is the MSD ignition. I couldn't get the draw to show up again to be able to further trouble shoot.
I cleaned all my battery connections, but have too many other projects going on to track down wires today.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

In reply to this post by swampedout

Going to try to figure out why so many fuses are missing and why that yellow jumper wire is there in place of a fuse.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

swampedout

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

In reply to this post by swampedout

Well I replaced that yellow wire with a 10a fuse and guess what, now my aux fuel tank works! Previous owner said he dropped the tank twice and put a new pump in and still couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

It feels like I'm starting to get somewhere with this mess.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

FuzzFace2

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

swampedout wrote

Well I replaced that yellow wire with a 10a fuse and guess what, now my aux fuel tank works! Previous owner said he dropped the tank twice and put a new pump in and still couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

It feels like I'm starting to get somewhere with this mess.

Wonder why it did not work with the jumper

Then again if the PO did all the wiring mess then I can see it not working

Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by swampedout

So what's the red wire stuck into the front of the panel?

I didn't think 10A was enough to run a fuel pump???
Maybe it's enough to pull in the relay?

I just don't know.

But I want to say GOOD JOB!

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

ArdWrknTrk wrote

But I want to say GOOD JOB!

Ok, you want to say it, but I will say it: GOOD JOB!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

grumpin

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

That is great!

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

kramttocs

Re: Electrical Issues - 84 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by FuzzFace2

Very good!
I agree with Dave - odd that the jumper wire didn't work. Maybe it just wasn't seated fully. Either way, you're much better off now.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

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