Ignition issues, need help ASAP

[Nate's69F100]

Hey guys, any insight on this would be much appreciated. I've got a '69 f100 and we just use it when something needs to be hauled. the past few weeks we've been clearing trees on the property and the truck has been doing great. Well, i parked it on a saturday and went back monday to start it and i just get a popping sound coming from the solenoid, naturally i assume that its gone bad seeing as its been on there for years. So i pick up a new one and throw it on that afternoon thinking problem solved.... nope, still popping. I get out the wiring diagrams and start checking wires, everything is good until i get to the ignition switch.. The large yellow wire was barely hanging in there and the large black wire broke off the rest of the way when i unplugged it. So, i thought that had to be the issue. Ordered a new ignition pigtail, wired it up, connected the battery, starts right up. I let it idle for a while to move the fluids around and when i turn the switch off, the truck continues to run.. I finally shut it off by stalling it out with the clutch, disconnect the battery and check all my wires, looks good and wired up like the old one that was working until the wires broke. So i try it again.... now it wont even turn over! also, when i disconnected the battery one final time, the terminal sparked a lot and the engine bumped over when i took it off. I've looked over the wiring diagrams and just can not figure this out, Any suggestions as to what the problem might be or what i need to check would help tremendously!

Thanks, Nate

[sargentrs]

Are you sure you got the 2 small wires on the solenoid, the "I" and the "S" terminals, hooked up correctly? I installed a new solenoid once and got 'em backward. Started fine but wouldn't die when I turned the key off. I had those terminals wires switched. Other than that, and your other symptoms lean this way, I'd say your ignition switch is bad. You can buy replacements at your local parts stores for around $20-$25. Also, solenoids are known to be bad right out of the box.

[Nate's69F100]

Thank you for the reply. I checked the wires on the solenoid and they are hooked up correctly. I guess I'll stop by the parts store on my way back from work and see what happens

[jimmy828]

Hope this helps.I just got my truck running after doing the engine rebuild. When i went to start it for the break-in, i hooked the new battery up and as soon as i connected the positive cable to battery the engine automatically started to turn over. After scratching my head for a minute or two i thought about the new solenoid i installed. I had the old solenoid so i changed it and the part fixed the problem. Thanks China for the defective solenoid

[Nate's69F100]

Hey guys, I finally got it running (and shutting off). Turns out it was the ignition switch. Put a new one on and problem solved! Thanks for the info and advice!

-Nate

[sargentrs]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for posting the fix.