1980 Ford Diesel

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

a 14 amp inline fuse shorted out and burnt the wire. Any suggestions as to the cause? Otherwise, it's in great shape.

RickB · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:35 am Post subject: Re: 1980 Ford Diesel

Dead short in the circuit, and fuse not sized properly to protect that gauge wire. The short is probably right at the end of the burnt wire furthest from the battery.

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

O.K. But how do I get to that fuse?

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

The line that blew was a 14 amp fuse wire. I replaced it with a plug-in fuse. It still won't work properly- blows fuses. The wire runs directly to the key starter switch, and that is what I can't figure out how to get to. Any ideas?

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

But HOW do I get to that fuse?

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

O.K., but HOW do I get to that spot?

Blue Buddy · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 63 Report to Moderator

little more info will help here, model number?, with ot less cab?, is it a glass fuse? or a fusible link wire? do the lights still work? or does it start but has no working headlights now?

more info you can give the better answer i can return

and we all know just how frustrating electrical problems can be

ronnie finger · New User Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Report to Moderator

It's a 1980 Ford 340 diesel. It has a fusible link wire that blew, and I replaced that. The in-
strument panel does not work- all lights are off. First, it blew the link fuse. Everything had been working at that time. After replacing the link fuse, it started just blowing fuses, one after another, after it had been running for about 30 minutes. Then, one instrument light after another quit working. That's it. Any help will be appreciated.

Blue Buddy · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 63 Report to Moderator

Ok,,fusible links, most of these have 2, one for lights, one for everything else, both come off the battery post on the starter, they are not 14 amp, they are 14 guage, so closer to 50 or 60 amps is the capability,, how to diagnose, a circuit breaker installed in place of the fusible link temporarily is best, a 30 amp will work for this, hook it up, and then with engine off try turning the key to run position and wiggle wire harness in different places to try to locate the short, the breaker will "click" when it shorts and trips, remove 4 dash screws so you can pull the dash partly out to see behind, watch, is not much wire and lights can pull out of the dash holders or fuel guage wire can be pulled off, camera or camera phone pic might be good if you have it part way out before you pull it way out if you have to(will need to unhook tach cable for that), common short is where the wiring lays on top of the fuel tank, wires vibrate and wear though over time, to get at wiring under dash remove the panels under dash so you can look in, you may need to remove the hood for better access as well
hope this helps, post back if you have more trouble or need more help, and is always nice to hear what you find too
good luck