Hi guys,

I have a 97 F150 4.6L V8 2WD AT.

This problem has been sparse, but now its bad. When I go to start the truck, there is a loud click and then the power for the whole truck goes out. No turnover at all. Usually the power seems to stay out for 20 seconds for up to a few minutes.

I have replaced the battery and the alternator is only a couple years old. I just replaced the starter relay on the firewall as well. Also replaced the positive battery terminal since it was looking rough.

Any ideas?

Thank you very much for any help guys.

 

Sounds like a contact problem in the ignition switch, or the ignition tumbler is holding things up ???

Have you tried ( when the problem happens ) turning the key back to the off position and trying again straight away ? ( see if cycling the key helps the issue ).

The click could be any number of things, when you turn the key to the run position, power is removed from the hot in run or run / accy position fuses.

If you cycle the key, and the same thing happens, if you turn the key to the accessory position ( off - run = problem = turn back to accessory ) does the radio come on ( obviously if it is turned on ).

Just trying to get an idea of what happens when the key is turned to different positions.

 

Thinking it may be a ground issue. When I turn the key to start it, it does one click and power dies. Then I go to the battery and pull on the ground wire a little bit and the power comes back on. Sounds like I'll have to check the grounds and/or replace ground cable?

 

Another quick question, anyone know how many ground points there are straight from the battery?

 

You have an intermittent problem with your battery cables or connections, most likely.

 

I know this thread is a week old, but the same problem happened when I threw a re-manufactured alternator in my truck. Determined there was a dead short inside the alternator that pops the trucks circuit breaker when the key is turned to Start. Had them send another unit, and there's no problem.