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No electrical power to anything

Tiny
KRISTINA BUCKHANNON
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 288,000 MILES
A couple days ago my friend borrowed my truck and filled it up with gas and started driving, down the street and lost all electrical power in the cab, everywhere, this happened after he hit a bump. He says that the battery hit the underside of the hood and arced. He decided that they were going to change the terminal mounts and upon trying to reconnect the negative it would spark, this blew the link between the starter solenoid and the positive battery cable. I replaced that cable and I still have no power to anything not even to engine bay fuse box. The batteries testing at 12.54 volts.
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Sunday, May 8th, 2016 AT 4:39 AM

36 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
These pictures show you other things you can check.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Great answer Hmac300
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
KRISTINA BUCKHANNON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Got it fixed. What happened s when the battery arced from hitting the hood, it fried my alternator. Got a refurbished one and got instant lights and cab Power. Truck started right up.
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Good to hear, glad we could help
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • 75,000 MILES
So today I was changing spark plugs on my 98 f150 and I touch one of the wires connected to the primary battery fuse on accident with a tool and got a spark. Didn't think much of it but now I have no power to anything in my car. No lights no click nothing. It's like the battery is not even in the car. Everything was fine up until today. Battery has power and tried jump starting but wouldn't take. Ive check the majority of the fuses. All seem fine as well as swapped many relays Any ideas?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
You burned out a maxi-fuse or fusible link. Here is a guide to help you test for the maxi fuse that is blown

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Here are the fuse locations and identifications.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Any Idea as to what maxi fuse? As well as more detail on what and where for a fusible link. I'm not familiar with those?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
A maxi fuse is a large, high amp fuse and a fusible link is special melting wire that acts as a fuse. You need to check all of them.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Could you possibly give me more detailed descriptions of where the maxi fuses are I've never seen one. Is the fuse(s) that may have blown more likely to be in the box under the hood or in the cab of the truck? I assume that it's one of the larger fuses. Is it possible for one to not work but not be visibly blown?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It's possible. The have to be tested. It's going to be one or more of the larger fuses.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I have a multimeter. To test the fuses do I just check the ohm rating for resistance?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Test for voltage on both sides of the fuse.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Test for voltage while still connected? And is any sign of voltage good or should it be a particular number
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
So far I haven't found any bad fuses. But non of them are getting any voltage. What could cause that?
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
You have a main fuse blown somewhere.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CKH1992
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I found the problem the MAXI fuse was blown 50 amp for the ignition switch. Thanks 2Carpros! I love this site
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EPC3762
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I did the exact same thing today on my 1997 f-150. Got a spark then a pretty good puff of smoke. I hit the top fuse on the primary battery fuse wire feeding off the drivers side of the fuse. All while changing the rear plug on the passenger side. I hit it with my ratchet extension while it was attached to the plug. Solidly grounded it out. Any help on what you did to correct your situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ed Cox
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the 50 AMP maxi fuse solved the problem can you check your by following the thread above please?

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAJUNGUY65
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 205,000 MILES
I recently purchased this truck. I hooked a scan tool to it but no codes showed. I changed fuel pump, fuel filter, plugs and wires. Checked all fuses and replaced burnt ones. Truck still is not turning over. I took battery off another vehicle which I know is good. It seems like it has no electrical power at all. No head lights. The signal lights work fine. The radio comes on but does not play. Since there is no power getting to anything I cannot tell what is wrong. Please help me with this.
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 7:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello,

There is a main power fuse 175 amp that runs a lot of power accessories that should be checked. also, the ignition switch could have a side of it that is shorted out. here are some power distribution wiring diagrams that you can use for some testing. here is a guide on how to use a test light and test wiring.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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