My truck is a 95 f150 5.0. I tried jumping it, but its like the power isn't getting to the battery because the jumper cables get so damn hot that they almost melt. I am not sure if it is an alarm system thing or what. The system appears to be pretty crappy to begin with. The engine has been recently steam cleaned- which could be very well what my problem is. Did the guy I bought it from screw up something, i.e. the alternator when he had it cleaned? I am new to Ford trucks so where should I start looking? First of all I'm gonna try and clean the posts, get em real good and shiny, and then see if I can get a good connection, but after that I'm kinda clueless. Ideas anyone? I heard that I can get an alternator test done at autozone, what do you think I should do?
Thanks a whole bunch
Jon

 

You could have a bum battery. Don't suspect the alternator as the primary suspect here.

Check the battery cables from end to end. There is a possibility that they have corroded from the inside. Also: Make sure that the ground and possitive are connected securely not only to the battery posts but also to the alternator and chassis.

 

Could also be a bad starter, ie all the current draw making the cables smoke.

 

I would hope that the engine hasn't seized.

 

If the battery cables got really hot, it's probably because they were hooked up backwards. That's my best guess.

Need more info to diagnose the problem... when you turn the key, does it do anything at all? Can you hear a clicking from under the hood? Could be a bum Solenoid, could be a reversed polarity cable, could be a bad starter, could be a bad ignition switch... could be a lotta things. Need more information first...

-Joe-

 

Could very well be a dead battery and cheap jumper cables.

 

Could be loose connection or bad wires. Had that prob. on my truck. Are the wires on the truck getting hot too? Specifically in a particilar area. Is starter getting hot?

 

My 2000 XL would not start in the morning after purchase but had plenty of battery juice.

5mins of dinking around and it turns out to be the shifter is loose or out of adjustment. Lifted the shifter up slightly and the truck starts fine.

1st item for repair.

 

If it doesn't click, then do what Riot says.

I had an 88 that I stopped to show off to my friends, and it wouldn't restart. Linkage popped off the transmission.

Mike