Ok, so sometimes when I start my truck, the temp gauge and fuel gauge don't move. The turn signals, at least on the dash don't blink and the charge light is on. I removed the alternator and took it in to get tested. passed 3 times. I put it back on and drove it to get gas. Same problem. After filling up I started it and it was back to normal. Could this mean a bad wire connection somewhere? I've also had an intermitent starting issue. Turn key and nothing. If I zap the starter with a jumper wire and then try again it starts right up. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I know this truck had a cheesy alarm installed on it at one point in time.
Might be an issue with the ignition, have you tried just barely moving they key around after the truck is running and see if stuff comes alive?
The starter problem is common ,see my post in regards to the fix! I don't think the other problems are related to the starter problem ! If you done other work on the truck look to those areas first.
Starter doesn't sound like the same problem to me. Do as Truck action said. As for the gauges and lights not working, make sure all the electrical components are completely plugged in on the backside of your gauge cluster.
check your grounds. i had a similar issue with no start and gauges and light switch acting funny. i put a dedicated ground from battery to chassis and it fixed all the problems.
The problem is not enough voltage @ the low volts side of the starter @ the starter! Get a early Ford starter relay from Napa auto parts . The small ( low volt wire @ the starter)comes from the ignition switch , will go to one of the small post on the relay, you will splice to the stock wire & run it up to the relay. Solder & shrink wrap ..Another small volt wire will go from the relay back to the starter ,where the first small wire was. Key on sends low volts to trigger the relay. The other large post will have to large Ga. wires one to the starter & one to the battery. They will be a diagram withe the relay! I have not had a problem with starting sense doing this!!
Thanks for the info, will definitely look into the relay and start checking for ground wires for the other problem.
So I just googled starter relay and in the pictures, I saw something that is currently on my truck, but don't think it's hooked up. Back to the whole alarm system thing I believe. Did these trucks come with one? Mine's an 85, put this in the wrong year category.
Holy crap!!! Wish I would have looked up this thread this summer when I was chasing a charge light issue. Had no idea I'd gone through this before. Especially since the first response would have pointed me straight to the problem and saved me a new alternator and battery and the time of tracing every single wire and connection in the charging system.
