Frustrated with starting system

[Mark_K5LXP]

I think it's a stretch to think a fusible link just arbitrarily popped sitting there, or even changing a battery. The fords that I've worked on had a dedicated cable from the battery to the solenoid then to the starter, and a separate cable from the battery positive to the primary fuse and relay box. I've only seen fusible links on alternator circuits. You won't find primary lead fuses or circuit breakers on chassis batteries like you might find used on house batteries. For the vehicle to be "dead" the supply to the primary fuse/relay box would need to be open, otherwise there would be at least some battery hot circuits that would be functional. Literally seconds with a voltmeter or test light will reveal how far battery voltage is getting from the battery and for these symptoms, it would be an open power or ground very nearby.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[TheBar]

I think it's a stretch to think a fusible link just arbitrarily popped sitting there, or even changing a battery. The fords that I've worked on had a dedicated cable from the battery to the solenoid then to the starter, and a separate cable from the battery positive to the primary fuse and relay box. I've only seen fusible links on alternator circuits. You won't find primary lead fuses or circuit breakers on chassis batteries like you might find used on house batteries. For the vehicle to be "dead" the supply to the primary fuse/relay box would need to be open, otherwise there would be at least some battery hot circuits that would be functional. Literally seconds with a voltmeter or test light will reveal how far battery voltage is getting from the battery and for these symptoms, it would be an open power or ground very nearby.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I really don't just make stuff up. I'm just trying to help the OP. Fusible links can be mounted anywhere depending on the make, year, and model. And frequently more than one. The link is usually not the cause instead there may have been a short when the OP was swapping the engine and coach batteries.

Here is an example of a Ford that went completely dead:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1343535-1986-f150-help-finding-short-fusible-link-blowing.html

But fusible links can corrode away just sitting there.

https://www.powerstrokenation.com/threads/fusible-link-locations.100753/