electrical NIGHTMARE

I have what i believe to be a serious issue here! while driving my 1993 f150 in the rain i lost my dash lights & tail lights. when i arrived at my destination truck would not start. after a jumpstart drove truck a short distance charging gauge dropped all lights went dim truck died. fuses for non working items check out ok??????

hmm... odd, but common. I would check whats visual under truck and under hood with a wiring diagram usually found in a repair manual. if you dont have one but need the wiring diagram, you might be able to find one via internet (yahoo, google, dogpile, etc.)

hmm... odd, but common. I would check whats visual under truck and under hood with a wiring diagram usually found in a repair manual. if you dont have one but need the wiring diagram, you might be able to find one via internet (yahoo, google, dogpile, etc.)


Thanks but my one downfall is wiring i have no clue??? am i looking near alt... battery.... fuseable links..... fuse box.... underhood fuses?

Visually look for anything out of the ordinary (corrosion, bubbling, melting, cracking, pinched wires). Sounds like a fusible link problem. If you have a test light or an ohm meter check for continuity through fusible links. Links Should be located near Starter solenoid on passenger side of engine bay.(I think)

Does the vehicle have any kind of anti-theft system or remote start?

yes, i should have specified what to look for, but he took care of it for me :-)

your alternator is probably fried

i had that EXACT problem on 92 f150; including the rain! lights dimming, battery meter falling. died in the middle of the road. battery would not take charge.could jump start but once removed jumper, died. battery would not hold charge; when checked at auto store, would not even register. it was DEAD.i replaced battery. truck started but dash light on (meaning it would just drain the new battery because battery was not getting signal to or from the alternator).
replaced alternator. dash light still on.
fuselink was burned up (fuselink on body bolt next to battery; it sends signals between alternator and battery). light on dash went out.
then no speedometer register. checked fuse box (under dash, next to driver's door). one fuse blown. replaced. speedometer works.
been running (& holding charge ever since).
in my case, truck is not used very often --i think it was interior lights staying on that caused the original power failure. then the first jumpstart was done incorrectly, that's probably what burned fuselink & fuse. i removed all interior lightbulbs so it won't lose power from that. working on figuring out why it doesn't get the signal to shut off lights. maybe door not shut completely; connection not made somewhere.
i hope this helps you with your problem.
[i notice not many replies to electrical problems.]
good luck!