This is new one on me. '93 f150 4.9 180000 miles. Would not start one morning without warning. Ignition gave normal click click and went dead. Jumpstarted with portable gel battery, but alternator needle jumping around 13-15 volts. Put in a good battery, but no response until I jumped again. I put in a good solenoid (I have access to another truck) but no change. When I put igniton in "on" postion, I get no response with idiot lights until I hook up jumper.

I am thinking maybe bad battery cables, but I don't want to start replacing things with no direction.

The wierd thing is the no warning. I've had plenty of batteries, alternators etc die, but usually I know it's going to occur. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful to hear them. Thanks.

 

joe-- them little electrons aren't jumping from your battery posts thru the cables ends.
Think it might be a good idea to find out why? Like cleaning them etc., if a jump works ok.
Then see if there are charge problems after you get power thur rhe cables.
Maybe it's just Holloween playing tricks on you.

 

Thanks. I'll check those ends.