[Highlander 1979]

Found a Taurus alternator at the junkyard, looked brand new...very happy that now i can go from the 1 g to this...alternator is good, btw. Replaced starter relay just before also . Starter works. Now the problem afterward is

I get power when i turn key to run. All my lights on the Dash come on, can hear glow plugs doing their cycle...no power to the starter relay for start , and no power to the engine switch.

I have tried to bypass the clutch safety switch. havent checked the ignition switch, havent found it yet...that is my last hope as to why i would have power when i turn the key to start. I can jump the starter relay, and it runs, and charges at 14.7

Dont have a camera, but will keep going till i get it...or call for help from some one who knows how to deal with wiring...grrrrr

My rig is a 1990 F 450 super duty dually...2 batteries ( of course ) Mileage is 142,xxx runs like a top, doesn't burn a drop of oil...

 

[chuckster57]

Ignition switch is on the column, about where the column goes under the dash.
Funny thing is I responded to a thread just a few days ago about the switch being at the base of the column like I have for years. Got corrected in a nice manner, so I'm telling it right this time....I hope.

 

[Highlander 1979]

I looked for it

I found the clutch bypass switch , but cant see the ignition...have to look harder i guess... it has to be that. Doesnt make sense not having any power to the starter relay...unless there is a fusible link in the wiring harnes that blew when the alternator went....but the switch was acting weird before the alternator and starter relay went..I had to wiggle the steering wheel to get it to start before this...its a Ford, so its never just one thing..its always three...at least...

 

[Bill1013]

The key itself has no switch mounted on it, the key actuates a rod going down the steering column, at the end of the rod is the switch. Check the key actuator itself and see if the little hook on the rod is broken, common occurance. The switch itself may have come loose , held by two bolts.

 

[Highlander 1979]

Hi Bill

The key itself has no switch mounted on it, the key actuates a rod going down the steering column, at the end of the rod is the switch. Check the key actuator itself and see if the little hook on the rod is broken, common occurance. The switch itself may have come loose , held by two bolts.

You have to drop the steering column ( Paul )..then you can see that switch....i got one from Napa ( 16.00 bucks instead of 24 at Oreillys )....and checked that rod. No, its not broke...moved the switch with a screw driver also.......Put old one back in , tried it ...then the new one.....same result...

I dont have a camera, but its got to be how i wired the 3 g in some how....i am at the point where i am thinking just run a toggle switch and use that to be my start.




I have the 3 wires for the alternator... green /red stripe to old g/r stripe...this gets power when truck is running

The heavier gauge wire on the new (er ) 3 g is yellow.white stripe. I have that attached this to the same gauge wire, except its red with a white stripe. This is coming around the fire wall to the relay.. This activates the alternator , so it will charge. Alternator light comes on in the dash also.

There are two wire's running from the front of the rig for the Tach.. Lt brown and green...so Tach works..

That leaves one solid black, and a black with a thin red stripe...assuming both are some ground..i have them attached at the moment.

There were never any wire's running from the starter to the relay. Only a very thick gauge ( 0 ) from the pos terminal pass side battery ,to the main terminal on the starter. Then there is a negative wire going to the negative side of starter relay...only one there, not a very heavy gauge...probably 12 or 14..sorry for my not being very accurate about the gauge.

Batt terminal on alt to main battery

Pos wire from battery to relay. I have to put a mega fuse in there, from the alternator wire to battery.

I also have a hot wire coming from the positive side of the starter relay to a 80 amp circuit breaker the a hot wire that runs to the drivers side...there is battery junction on that side that runs power into the cab..

This is a tow truck, they had that battery junction on the driver side wired like that .....i guess its to power the light bar, but havent traced it back

As of now, like i said, i turn it to run, and the glow plugs cycle...so if i put that toggle switch it, i can start it...nothing is smoking...tripping any breakers...sooo....getting 14.7 / 14.8 at the batteries ..if nothing else...good luck if some one tries to steal it....

Also not getting anything to the engine temp switch and the fast start sol. now . The wire to either happens to be a heavy gauge red with a white stripe.




I will get some pics here soon...Thanks


I think it is in the clutch safety switch.....but i have run a hot wire to the starter relay ( ignition side) and a toggle switch. It works.