1992 F150 w/302 engine. 128k miles. This scenario has happened twice to me in the last two weeks: Put key in ignition, turn key, and all the electrical disappears -- no power locks, no windows, no cab light, no nothing. The engine makes no attempt to start. No slow turning or maching gun sounds, just nothing. The last time it did it, I believe I heard the bendix on the starter engage as I turned the key, but that may have been my imagination. If I leave and come back in 30 minutes or longer, it starts just fine. 99% of the time, the truck starts easily on the first try. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
jeff.boyd0633@sbcglobal.net

 

Well, if your battery is good, and all your grounds are good, I'd be looking at a failing ignition switch.

Check to see if the headlights work or not the next time it happens.

Adrianspeeder

 

check ur battery terminals and if they are questionable just replace them there only $5

 

check the battery terminals and the solenoid and if those are getting good connections try checking that switch out

 

I'll keep checking. Battery and terminals appear to be good. I haven't noticed whether the headlights are functional or not when this event happens. However, the door locks and cab light don't work when this happens, and I wouldn't have thought those two had any electrical connection to the ignition switch.

 

No, they don't. Bust out the ohm meter and get a resistance reading from the center of your negative battery post to any ground handy around the block/frame.

Adrianspeeder

 

If everything goes dark, you have an either an intermittent dead short to ground somewhere in the (+) side of starting circuit or an intermittent ground fault. If it were on the (+) side of the circuit you would smell insulation melting and probably see smoke; if not, it's likely on the (-) side. Like anything that isn't there all the time, it can be a bitch to find.

If I had to bet on something it would be the main ground cable; they are a known problem area. It has been discussed; do a search on this forum for the phrase "intermediate ground"

 

Update: It did it again, so I popped the hood and shook and twisted the ground cables. Started right up after that. Sounds like you guys put me on the right track for further work this weekend. Thanks!

 

cable ends arnt like they use to be i put brand new ones on my dodge when i got it and in 2 years they were shot the wouldnt hold the wire the streched so they wouldnt tighten over the post.

i did just get a set for my 90 from car quest it was like $3 each and they seem to be alot better and more durable then other brands

 

Before you buy a replacement cable do the search I recommended. You'll save a whole lot of money and eliminate the problem.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/el...lectrical.html

 

dont need cables just ends

 

I hate replacement ends.

 

Unless it has (like on every other truck of this vintage) corroded out at the intermediate ground point point over the wheel well. If that is the case, new ends won't help.