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View Full Version : Fox Electrical Expert Advice Needed

Doc_G
02-18-2009, 10:01 PM
Not sure where to put this, as I did not see an electrical board, so if it needs to be moved Mods please be gentle.

I drove home tonight, and as we know the weather wasn't the nicest, I ran through some high water in my Distribution Center Parking lot, and some not so deep (Oxmoor floods in certain spots when it rans for more than 30 seconds) water on the way to the free way in home wood. After getting home I went out later to start the stang to move it so my wife could give me my parking spot under the carport. I tried to start it and even though I had decent battery voltage according to the gauge it just clicked like my battery was dead. I tried it a few more time and was rewarded the last time with an ever so gentle click and bang no power to ANYTHING, no headlights (even a nearly dead battery should give some kind of power to them) nothing.

I'm thinking there's a possible grounding issue, maybe something got wet??? This being my first Fox body I'm asking those who are familiar with them to give me some likely places to start, I figure you guys should know the weak or common spots to check for stuff like this.

Thanks in advance for any help rendered.
BAD INT
02-19-2009, 01:11 AM
did you even check to see if the terminals were tight?
Doc_G
02-19-2009, 04:37 AM
yes I checked the batt. terminals. I also checked the solenoid/module mounted to the drivers fender to see if any wires were loose. Terminals are tight as are the connections to the solenoid/module.
QWKSNKE
02-19-2009, 06:54 AM
maybe the starter has a short. Give it a chance to dry out and see if it will start
Doc_G
02-19-2009, 07:37 AM
Yeah well thats what I'm going to look at this morning. I'm about to leave my office to head out to the house to climb up under it and check out all my connections.

::UPDATE EDIT::

It seems that whom ever wired the foglights wired them to come on when the key is turned to the on position (as a day time running light I would guess) and the wiring was a jumbled rats nest of crap. Evidently it was causing some kind of short or open in the ignition because after clipping the unneeded wires, and making good connections and applying some fancy electrical taping over the crimp connectors to fight moisture she started back up. SHE'S ALIVE... ALIVE I TELL YOU MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Glad it was something simple, but it still pisses me off that someone would half ass wiring like that. Oh well shit happens I suppose.
ncontt
02-19-2009, 01:36 PM
glad you got it figured out....as an aside: I HATE wiring...
Doc_G
02-19-2009, 01:53 PM
glad you got it figured out....as an aside: I HATE wiring...


Yeah me too, I had a knot in the pit of my stomach wondering "What have I gotten myself into, I haven't owned this car a full week and its already broke down... DAMN" As soon as I saw the wiring for the fog lights and the extra wire going into the fire wall I knew that had to be the problem. It was just THAT BAD... all other connections were good, 13ish volts on the batt, the solenoid had a good power and ground, I got power at the starter... it just HAD to be that miasma of crappy wiring. Turns out that's exactly what it was.

Phew sigh of relief, and stomach knot gone. I'm a happy camper again.

Side note... I gotta get a new batt tray w/hold down, anyone got one cheap/free?
banditmwp
02-19-2009, 06:41 PM
Side note... I gotta get a new batt tray w/hold down, anyone got one cheap/free?

we sell them at O'reilly for ~$5
Doc_G
02-19-2009, 06:59 PM
we sell them at O'reilly for ~$5

Re-heheeealy... and which O'reilly do you work at?
banditmwp
02-19-2009, 07:42 PM
Anniston
Doc_G
02-19-2009, 08:25 PM
Nope.. too far. I'll check the local ones as I'm sure they have similar pricing.

Thanks for the heads up.