Archived Big time 1st gen problem

[Kiohio]

The 89 in sig

Driving down the road, truck had only been running for 5 minutes.
Small wisp of smoke comes out of the area of the center air vent beside 4wd indicator.
I look around everything is turned off no radio, heat, air, nothing at all on except the truck.
I still have a running engine though, about that time I see something in the area of the WIF indicator flicker (I was driving and couldn't tell which "light" actually lit up).
Then the truck died I put it in neutral and tried to restart... nothing, I mean nothin, engine didn't even turn over.
I coasted to the side of the road and started checking everything, took the dash apart, couldn't find any burnt wires and the smell dissipated quickly.
Looked all over under the hood, nothing obvious.
Pulled the battery cable, and continued to loook around.....
After 15 mins or so I watched the light under the hood, and reattached the battery, NOthing. Battery is completely drained.....
Any ideas?????
I'm headed out to put a new battery in it and look for smoke... .
Also... it has a new volt reg on it
and HAD a good Intestate battery in it.
Thanks, KO

 

[R C Cola]

Elec. ?

#@$%! Ya gotta love them elec gremlins. Battery totally dead ? Checked with a voltmeter at the battery or ? Check the fuse box for any blown fuses or areas that appear to have gotten hot. With the key off and all acc. off when you attach the second batt cable, does it spark ? Indicates juice going somewhere. A test lite will be handy and you may need a voltmeter before you're done. These are just basic starting points.

 

[JRhinehart]

My 92 caught on fire under the dash and it was the headlight switch. I do not believe this is your problem, but I had a 69 Dart that did the same thing and it was the headlight switch! Also check your volt guage, they will go out and you will lose current.

 

[Kiohio]

Grabbed the volt meter when I took the new batt back to the truck.

Batt had 12. 9..... hmmmm

Looked and found a large wire on the fender... rotted in 2.

I cut back the real bad spot and twisted it together.

I then had power, tried to start it and it wold turn over but no start.

Now I believe it's the solenoid that is shot.

The wire that was rotted in 2 didn't look burnt at all.

I'm wondering what else could have made the smoke... ...

As stated... gotta love them electrical gremlins.

Said heck with it and had a tow truck drag it to the house.



KO

 

[RON'S RAM]

Are you talking about the fuel shut down solenoid? Can you pull it up manually and try to start it? It's probably not the starter solenoid if it turns over. If the solenoid was bad it would either not turn over or if it was stuck on, the starter wouldn't stop spinning.

 

[RON'S RAM]

Do you have an amp meter in the truck? I had an amp meter short out and start the dash on fire. All of the power went through the amp meter, so no power anywhere when the meter was bad. If not, you'll have to look for fuseable links. Good luck

 

[TBurow]

Are you talking about the fuel shut down solenoid? Can you pull it up manually and try to start it? It's probably not the starter solenoid if it turns over. If the solenoid was bad it would either not turn over or if it was stuck on, the starter wouldn't stop spinning.

first gen engines do not have that type of shutoff solenoid, it screws into the injection pump and has a plunger with a rubber tip on it that blocks fuel flow.



check if the shutoff solenoid is getting power if not check the ign switch and fusable links, if all good check the bulkhead connector that goes through the firewall for corrosion.



if you need to start the truck to move it just unplug the shutoff solenoid and make a jumper wire to hook to the pos side of the batt. crank it up and then disconnect the wire to shut it off.

 

[Kiohio]

I found the top of the solenoid only partially connected, not the wiring but the actual plastic top. I tried running a hot wire to it but it (the wire) got so hot I couldn't hold it... ... not good. Looks like it's time to replace the solenoid or go to a pull cable.

I have a spare Kioti cable around..... with the fuel kill symbol on it even.



KO

 

[TBurow]

looks like you found the source of the short circuit then.