Vanning.com logo
Boxdin
Site Navigation


Advertisements
Recent Posts
Crazy mods
by MufflerMan Mike - March 28th 2024 9:38 am
Good day
by SDMickey - March 27th 2024 10:55 pm
Lew Greger
by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
1987 G20 Gypsy
by SDMickey - March 25th 2024 9:39 pm
Featured Links


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Ghost in the machine
#770027 January 22nd 2021 2:40 pm
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
'78 Econoline was trying to start by itself this morning. Yanked the battery cable. It rained overnight.

The starter is brand new.....bad ignition switch? Starter solenoid?

The fuse box seems fine/dry. My wiring overall is pretty ugly, but hasn't been problematic.

Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770031 January 22nd 2021 3:58 pm
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 153
W
veteran
Offline
veteran
W
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 153
Not a Ford guy. So... Solenoids getting a hot from somewhere? Something is grounding out somewheres. I'd be suspecting that ugly wiring worms
Safety First! have that fire extinguisher handy!

Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770040 January 22nd 2021 5:06 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Lucky you were there when it happened ... HIGH fire danger ... Keep the batt disconnected and Id replace the wiring to the ign sys water has gotten in the casing of the wires some where ... may be the fuse box shorting out when it gets wet ... but I would not put a batt to it till you find out what it is .

Rain knocks out my wipers ... lol just when I need it .. some times it works ... always works in hot weather

Last edited by frscke1; January 22nd 2021 5:07 pm.

SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770043 January 22nd 2021 5:31 pm
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
When I heard it, I was like 'what the heck, somebody's got starting probs' then I open my front door and the thing is cranking like crazy......at least I know the battery and starter are strong lol

Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770084 January 23rd 2021 8:53 pm
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
So I connected the battery back up (no poltergeists this time), now it won't turn over. I haven't checked the solenoid or anything else yet - what else should I look for before I poke around?

Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770086 January 23rd 2021 9:08 pm
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Offline
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Id start with a multimeter at the fuse box


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770395 January 30th 2021 12:34 am
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 137
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 137
I'm not a Ford guy either, but I have several friends who are, and back in the day it seemed like those old solenoids were always the main culprit of their issues. I had two different friends that ran big block bumpside pickups (67-72) at the drag strip and they were constantly fighting and replacing solenoids. Let us know if you figure it out.


[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]
Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #770841 February 07th 2021 1:07 am
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
I got stumped after swapping out the solenoid and ignition switch. I found a guy who makes house calls and we got her running today. There were some wires that had gotten tangled around the steering column which was probably the cause. We're in agreement that the wiring has to be completely redone, it is so Mickey Moused it's laughable..... Dr. House Call is seasoned and works cheap, so he's on board to help out when needed!

Re: Ghost in the machine
cornfarmer #771545 February 17th 2021 1:49 pm
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 47
We're about to start rewiring, and want to redo/upgrade the distributor - any recommendations ? Electronic kit? Never done one so I'm a little bit stupid.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Astro, Uncle_Fester 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Donate


Upcoming Events
discovery
Who's Online Now
1 members (MufflerMan Mike), 13 guests, and 9 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
TheDrunkenGunsmith, Jac, LOVclassics, ZenMuffin, Milkman530
12724 Registered Users
Top Posters (30 Days)
SDMickey 130
CatFish 28
frscke1 28
Wedgy 21
Forum Statistics
Forums68
Topics35,747
Posts537,899
Members12,724
Most Online177
May 8th, 2013

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4