wiring issues

[SwampLife]

OK, so yesterday i went out to start my k5 diesel and here's what happened. turning the key on all the lights and gauges came on fine. As soon as i turned the key to start, the battery gauge dropped to nothing and no noise at all from the starter. I tried it once or twice more and noticed some smoke from under the hood. Popped the hood and couldn't tell where the smoke had come from, but it definitely smelled like burnt wires. Now when i put the key in and turn to "acc" or "on" I got no lights on the dash and no gauges. I checked the gauge fuse and it's fine. I still have interior lights, headlights, horn, etc. I'm not sure if i have power to the radio cause I have the radio pulled out right now. So I guess my question is what wires shorting out could cause all this to quit working without blowing a fuse? My only thought is the ignition switch wires themselves, but i'm not sure where to check in the engine bay.

 

[m00nBlaZe]

Check your fusible links down by the starter solenoid. Grab hold of them and pull apart, if they stretch then replace if they feel solid then check your solenoid itself.

I've had a similar problem that ended up being old corroded battery cables. I also installed a ford starter solenoid on the firewall. If you read around on here there is a write up on it.

 

[SwampLife]

thanks i will check those. I just had to put a new solenoid on it a couple weeks ago, so hopefully it's not that. i also put 2 optimas in it a few months ago, and the connections are nice and clean. Just to be clear, the fusible links would be the wires that run from the solenoid behind the engine and through the firewall right?

 

[J-BLAZE]

having this same issue, but mine fried the turn signal wire also.... and all fuses are fine in the box, was told that it may be a fuseable link as well but that there could possibly be three of them.. anymore disciption would be great

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Check your fusible links down by the starter solenoid. Grab hold of them and pull apart, if they stretch then replace if they feel solid then check your solenoid itself.

I've had a similar problem that ended up being old corroded battery cables. I also installed a ford starter solenoid on the firewall. If you read around on here there is a write up on it.

I just went through both situations mentioned.

My fusable links burnt up, w/ my alternator.
I also had battery cables so bad, that when I stripped them back;
A ton of corrosion puffed out..... (Think: Throwing Flour in the air.)

 

[J-BLAZE]

did you get the problem corrected and if so what did it take? im being told it may be ignition inside the column or fuseable link but checking the net it looks like there may be up to three of them. one on starter, one on alternator and possibly one inside cab on the passenger side. this issue has got me extremely agrivated . been tracing wires and trying to get advice everywhere for a week now

 

[SwampLife]

as soon as the rain lets up i'll take a look and let you know what I find out

 

[SwampLife]

OK so here's what I found there are 2 fusible links on the starter solenoid and one on the firewall to the left of the brake booster. the one on the firewall was what blew on mine. here's a sorta blurry pic of it's location. it attaches to those 2 screw posts you see behind it in the pic.

 

[J-BLAZE]

ive checked the fuseable links at starter,alternator and firewall all are good... guess its gonna end up being in the column unless someone has another suggestion?