Electrical problem help

[harveydad]

I have a 1994 Explorer that I went to replace the starter solenoid on and when I was connecting the terminal to the solenoid I accidentally shorted it out. Now I have no power at all to the truck...not even lights. I thought it was the fusible link so replaced that and nothing. Tested all fuses with a multimeter and they are all good. Does anyone know what else might be the problem?

 

[2stroke]

You had the battery connected when you were replacing the starter solenoid? Maybe you just pulled the negative battery cable off from the engine.

 

[the_don]

When you were testing the fuses did you use the voltage setting or the resistance setting on your multimeter?

 

[harveydad]

2Stroke,

The battery cables are all connected correctly. when I "jump" the solonoid now the truck tries to start but won't stay running because there is no power to the fuel pump. it thinks the key is off.

 

[harveydad]

When you were testing the fuses did you use the voltage setting or the resistance setting on your multimeter?

I used the resistance setting on the multimeter.

 

[harveydad]

You had the battery connected when you were replacing the starter solenoid? Maybe you just pulled the negative battery cable off from the engine.

Battery cables are all connected correctly. When I "jump" the solonoid now the engine tries to start but won't stay running because there is no power to the fuel pump. It thinks the key is off.

 

[2stroke]

So how did you short the truck out? The reason I ask is I have put the wires in the wrong place on the mega fuse before and lost all power to the truck. It took me all day with a DMM to figure it out too. I would find power at some places, and others none. It made no sense because there was power on both sides of the mega fuse. It wasn't until I looked under the hood of my parts truck until I figured it out.

 

[the_don]

use the voltage setting and while using the right fender ground point, retest the main fuse panel.

 

[harveydad]

So how did you short the truck out? The reason I ask is I have put the wires in the wrong place on the mega fuse before and lost all power to the truck. It took me all day with a DMM to figure it out too. I would find power at some places, and others none. It made no sense because there was power on both sides of the mega fuse. It wasn't until I looked under the hood of my parts truck until I figured it out.

I connected both solenoid wires to the same terminal and it wasn't until I reconnected the battery and it sparked on me that I realized what had happened. I know this seems like a "why in the world would he do that" moment but it was a very long day and I was outside in the rain...long story short. ...no power to truck.

 

[2stroke]

I've done things a lot dumber than that. In fact, I have done exactly what you are describing right now on my new truck. I had the starter solenoid off (yours is on the passenger side fender wall I assume) and bam, no power anywhere. Post a picture of your solenoid right now, I would bet I can find the problem.