Need some advice for a stupid mistake please.

[SomersMerc]

Tonight I went to replace my battery in the truck after installing a new igintion lock switch and ignition cylinder and I started to hook up the battery cables to the wrong terminals. Ya I know a very dumb moment! Well the sparks flew!!! I quickly fixed my error but a little to late. I am able to get the wipers to work, interior and exterior lights work, horn works etc... BUT.... the truck will not even turn over now. I looked at the small fuse panel under the drivers side dash and it appears all fuses are ok.
Any suggestions would be appreaciated.
Thank you.

[ford4x4fun]

There is a fuseable link coming off the starter starter solenoid. Should be inline with a little orange rubber piece rapped around it. Can't remember what size fuse you have to replace it with but I would bet that is your problem.

[ford4x4fun]

Look at this wiring diagram.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... master.jpg

On the starter relay it shows a wire going off of it (38A). That is the one you want to check out. I had to put an inline fuse on mine when I did my body swap. For some reason that fuse went out, same symptoms that you just described. I hope this helps.

[69rangerf100]

why is it that when i look at the diagram i get so confused. haha guess im just special

[ford4x4fun]

why is it that when i look at the diagram i get so confused. haha guess im just special

Ha ha when I had this problem I had to print it out. I can't figure things on the computer screen for some reason.

[SomersMerc]

I usually take digital photo's of everything so I can refer back to them since my memory is short and I tend to always seem to be rushed for time. Not to mention my mechanical skills are very limited. I still have to get back outside soon to see if it is just a fuse. HOWEVER with the Chinook coming in there is a weather alert for very high winds. Not long ago it cost millions in damage and shut down our downtown for hours for a city with a population of over 1 million. Right now it is the calm before the storm!!
Thanks for the great advice and tips!!

[woods]

Yeah, working in a storm can be a bit distracting.

[390bump]

FYI - you should replace using another fusible link wire. You can buy them at auto parts stores or on-line like here: http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/fusible-link.shtml You just meed to match up the gauge of wire... the wire itself acts like a fuse an burns up. I would not replace using a fuse. The two are similar but different. Fusible links are slow blow and really just do their jobs when batteries are put in backwards.

[SomersMerc]

Thanks. I did not know what a fuseable link looked like. I am pretty sure my truck has a small relay mounted to the firewall connected to the positive. It is a small round cylinder shaped piece. I went to a shop today that specializes in old cars and trucks/muscle cars etc. (DelTech) He took me through his shop and they had about 9 different vehicles in there all very very cool and most of them have a ton of work into them. He also had a couple trucks from the 50's and an old Studabakker as well. It was like going for a private veiwing of some very cool muscle cars and trucks. I wish I had my camera! Anyways he knew exactly what I was talking about and descibed what would be on my truck. Sure enough it was just like he described. Now tomorrow I will try and get up early enough to remove it before I go to work. I will let everyone know if I get it off and see if I can get another one from NAPA.
I will get back soon hopefully.
Dave

[SomersMerc]

Well I finally decided to take the truck in since it needed a insurance inspection as well. It turns out that I must of messed up putting in the ignition cyclinder. They replaced it and showed me that 2 of the 3 plastic nibs were broken. They also ran a new wire right from the ignition to the starter silonoid or battery area? I guess when they replaced the iginiton cylinder it still never worked but started to smoke. My previous wirering mistake compounded I am assuming. Well they got it all fixed and said it is running. Now they also suggested that I change the carb as the previous owner put in a two barrel that does not have an electronic choke and neither a manual one as well. They opened up the choke all the way but a new carb would be better. I do not plan on driving this until spring anyways with all the ice, salt and crap on the road.

Thanks again for everyones input. It was frustrating not being able to get it running. Lots of minor details still required but things are starting to come along considering I have only purchased it in late December.

Dave

[cdeal28078]

I sure hope they did not replace the resistor wire that feeds the coil with a wire that will feed a straight 12volts to it.
clint

[elgemcdlf]

why is it that when i look at the diagram i get so confused. haha guess im just special

Ha ha when I had this problem I had to print it out. I can't figure things on the computer screen for some reason.

I thought I was all alone. I have a very rough time making sense out of something on the screen but if printed I have no issues at all.