Parked it and now its dead!

[fonfixer]

I parked my '67 off to the side of the shop so I could get other things in and out. While it was there I got a new starter solenoid because one of the lugs was loose and wouldn't tighten. It was a like for like replacement, should've been easy peasy. Now the truck won't even turn over, headlights are very dim, but oddest of all the alternator gauge STARTED working (it hasn't worked the last 20 years and I've never tried to fix it). I say its working because it deflects to discharge every time the blinkers blink. I don't have an inline fuse under the hood, with the headlights on I'm getting 4ish amps on the ground strap to the body. I've checked the wiring diagram here at the site but it doesn't seem to be an exact representation of my particular truck. Has anyone else encountered this before I start crawling under the dash chasing 12 volts and grounds?

[sargentrs]

Solenoids are known to be bad right out the box. I've replaced 2 back to back before getting a good one. Also check the brown wire from the alternator to the solenoid. One time my truck did the same thing and that wire had a bad crimp at the ring terminal. Replaced my battery and truck was dead. Started wiggling and tightening connections and the wire pulled out of the terminal. Crimped a new ring on it and she started right up. Another thing is the sheet metal screws holding the solenoid to the inner fender causing a bad ground. I like to put through bolts, star washers and lock nuts on mine. Occasionally have added a separate ground wire to the inner fender there to be sure.

[fonfixer]

Yeah my first thought was a bad solenoid but a hot wire and multimeter claims the solenoid is good. I’ve got through bolts with star washers holding it onto the fender. If the rain lets up I’ll check out the other things you mentioned when I get home. It couldn’t had done this when it was parked in front of the shop out of the rain, just had to do it the one time I parked in the grass.

[1972hiboy]

Just to cover the basics. you have a good battery? try starting with the gear selector in neutral?

[fonfixer]

Have a hot battery and gear selector has never worked.

[basketcase0302]

Can't stress enough what Randy and Rich said!
I've had so...many Standard Ignition Branding parts, (most were made in China or Japan back then) fail me right out of the box.
And the note of the battery...Let me tell you the story about almost blowing up a 71' Maverick due to the solenoid sticking in, (continuously turning over even with the key off)! It melted the hot cable which then caught the carb leak I had, (no didn't know the base gasket was leaking) and created an engine fire half way home on Navy leave in 12 inches of snow covered roads!
Low battery voltage held in the starter solenoid coil in, (a pretty common thing with our trucks) not allowing it to open the circuit.
But the good news is once you change the starter battery and solenoid and cables you should be trouble free for a few years.

[Ohiotinkerer]

I've had so...many Standard Ignition Branding parts, (most were made in China or Japan back then) fail me right out of the box.

Had this same problem so what in y'alls opinion is the best starter solenoid brand to buy? I want a spare to throw in my tool box for when I travel and don't wanna get stuck with a new one that doesn't work........

[fonfixer]

Ok, if ya'll will line up single file you get to slap me on the back of the head as you go by and call me whatever derogatory remark you have. I got under the hood today to figure out what was going on, figured it had to be something related to the solenoid. I took the starter side off and got a jumper from battery positive to the small post on the solenoid. I was going to get a meter from post to post with it engaged to confirm it's making contact. For whatever reason I went back to the drivers seat and happened to see the problem. One of my wires from the solenoid had fall/hidden/ran a way from home and was under the horn relay. What few things that was working was must of been back feeding. On the bright side I got my battery cable clamps and post cleaned.

[basketcase0302]

Real...easy to overlook things like small wires.

On a side note i always have my eyes glued to the fenderwall of even the 80 model Fords when scouring the junkyards, (for original Motorcraft solenoids).