Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: jasontbird on November 25, 2009, 07:45:54 PM

Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: jasontbird on November 25, 2009, 07:45:54 PM
85 Ford T-bird - 5.0 HO swap - 5 speed

Tryn to get the tbird going after sitting about a year.  Got plates and a battery for it.  Problem though.  Hooked up the battery but the fuel pump don't run, power windows don't work, no windshield wipers, no radio.  Car has been sittn a while so I'm sure its something with a ground or wire somewhere.  I relocated the battery to the trunk years ago when I did the 5.0 HO swap and everything had been working for years.  I checked the ground at the battery. Sanded it all up etc and it sparked when I hooked it back up so it's got good connection there..  It cranks fine, dash lights all work, interior lights work, cluster lights work, but fuel gauge doesn't show fuel level upon putting the ignition in run position.  All the head/tail lights and signals work.    I checked a few of the fuses and they were good. Not sure what's going on exactly. I was wanting to drive this thing this weekend to knock some of the rust off and get her purring nice again.  Darn it!!  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.  Jason.
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: BadShoe on November 25, 2009, 08:39:18 PM
Sounds like an ign. switch.
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: Beau on November 25, 2009, 08:55:05 PM
X2.

Leave that positive battery cable undone until you get the ign switch replaced. You probably know this, but just in case.

Cars DO burn....:flame:
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: jncocowboyx on November 26, 2009, 08:52:50 AM
not sure about te radio and all, but there's a connection by the battery that i've had come apart and the fuel pump wouldn't work. i was all like "wtf?!!?" until i found out that i had disconnected it when i had replaced the battery. check it.
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: Thunder Chicken on November 26, 2009, 06:10:54 PM
Yes, I'd check the fusible links on the starter relay first (check their condition AND make sure they're bolted to the proper side of the relay, IE the side closest to the battery), then the ignition switch. As V8Demon said, if you find it to be the ignition switch, disconnect the battery and leave it disconnected until you replace it.

Usually when an ignition switch goes you lose the turn signals, gauges and blower motor functions but the car will still run. Usually.
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: Beau on November 26, 2009, 06:52:53 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;300274
As V8Demon said...


Ahem.... ;)

Yes, I forgot to mention to look at fusible links too...
Title: Solved - No power to fuel pump, radio, windshield wipers, etc
Post by: jasontbird on December 07, 2009, 10:37:17 PM
Ok, and the winner is ignition switch.  Thanks for the tip.  When I pulled the column shroud off the ignition switch fell apart.  Hopefully the borg werner inition switch from Oreily's will last longer.  These dang things are rediculously troublesome.  Thanks guys!!!