Thread: Dead battery replaced... won't start!

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I've worked on cars for over 50 years... but never had this happen!

Mid seventies Econoline truck chassis with 460.

I left the headlights on, and killed the battery. It was several years old, so I just replaced it. Now I get nothing at all. Guages don't come on... engine doesn't spin... lights won't turn on...

YES! The battery is fully charged, and hooked up properly.

Maybe a relay or something? What would a dead battery cause?

I've seen an open fusible link cause that. I'd check the solenoid, the starter, and the alternator.

(Typing while Ken posted....)
First thought is you got a bad battery that failed internally to ground, but if you've confirmed it to be good then I'd wonder, stock wiring or aftermarket harness? Just wondering if perhaps a fusible link to the fuse block gave up, or a Maxi-Fuse feeding the fuse block? Maybe check voltage at the battery, then go to your fuse block and check for power at the little test ports on the top of the fuses? Also check continuity on both + & - battery cables for grins?

Thanks. I just called a friend who is a long time Ford machanic. He is going to come over this evening and see what he can find. I'll pass this on to him as possibilities.

Anyone else?

Stupid question what about the ground, bad cable? Tried looking for the voltage yet see where it is. Think it is a simple solve, lights and ing are two different types of circuits and not dependent on each other. But are dependent on a good battery connection, both not working, nothing working points to the battery and it connection.

Thanks Pepi. I cleaned all of the cables... but we'll check it out.

Had a similar thing happen on my Nissan PU and it turned out to be a loose connection at the ground cable. Even tho I got it good and tight and fixed the problem, every now and then it will need a tweeking on that ground bolt before it will crank. I need to replace the entire cable but it's one of those "Round Tuits" that I have a bucket full of.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Thanks Pepi. I cleaned all of the cables... but we'll check it out.

Check both ends of that ground cable just to be sure. Agree this points to a battery/connection/main fuse problem when everything is down.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Thanks for the suggestions of what it might be. We started eliminating them one by one, then found a bad battery cable. Replaced it, and we are back on the road!

Thanks again!

Cool man good to here, and thanks for the update.

On the road is a good thing,
Greg

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Thanks for the suggestions of what it might be. We started eliminating them one by one, then found a bad battery cable. Replaced it, and we are back on the road!

Thanks again!

BAM!!! Pepi nailed that one!! Pete