We have a 94 F150 truck. It was running fine with no problems. We decide to was down engine while it was cold. After that engine did not want to start. Notice that battery was dead. We recharged battery and truck still did not want to start. We notice that cable wires were hot. We decide to puchase new battery. Truck was able to start for about 20 minutes but when turned off. Truck would not want to start again. Does any one have any ideas of what is happening. Engine size is a straight v6.

 

What happens when you try to start it? Does it crank but not fire, or won't even crank?

 

The truck cranks and wants to start but the the battery drains pretty quickly and goes completly dead. When cranking smell fuel, there is not fuel leak.

 

Next time, check for spark. If you think it's flooding, try and start it with the gas pedal all the way to the floor. This shuts off the fuel until it starts.

 

Just out of curiosity, did you wrap up your distributor cap before washing the engine? Pull the cap and make sure it's not wet inside.

 

Check distributor, check coil got spark. When truck immediately did not start we check distrubutor for water and found it was completly dry. We will check the spark right know but someone metioned to us about the negative/positve cable going to the starter and frame, they looked good from outside but is it is possible that inside the cables is corroded? WE cut cables back 3 inches and notice black and white flakes inside cable and then reconnected to battery with new terminals. Thanks

 

It sounds like your cables need to be replaced, which very well might correct your problem. I just don't see the link between bad cables and washing the engine.

The engine cranks, you have spark, and you have fuel, but it won't start, correct?

 

yes

 

Could it also be the starter.

 

All the starter does is crank the engine over. You said it's doing that. Try replacing your cables, making sure that the engine block is well grounded.

 

Thanks alot, we are going to change cable. Appreciate all you help from Hawaii.