Topic: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Problems
[Return to Forum]
| Author [expand] |
[Modern View]
|
| Jerry/MT
12-31-2003 21:17:27
206.231.182.234
8256
|
I bought a '82 Ford 4610 diesel in Seattle about five years ago. It had a electrical problem that I knew about and I thought would be easy to fix. It wasn't charging. I checked the alternaor and it had a problem as did the solid state voltage regulator. So far so good. The wiring had a problem also. It sems the previous owner was removing a battery and he dropped in in the engine compartment and it spilled battery acid all over the main elctrical harness connector. The acid ate up the connector and the guy tried to rewire itbut he came up short. I took what was left over and together with the Ford circuit diagrams I tried to rewire it, but I think I'm missing a wire somewhere. I now live in Northwest Montana where we have real wintersand I having problems starting that are cuased by an undercharged battery. I need to get my machine running quickly so i started looking for new wiring harnesses. I priced new wiring from Ford/NH and they quoted me around $600 for new front and rear harnesses. I think that's highway robbery. This is not the Space Shuttle for God's sake. It's a farm tractor!
I will try some local (Missoula,MT) auto electric shops. Does any know of any other source of wiring harnesses besides the dealer? Are the some custom shops that do this kind of work? Any advice would be appreciated.
Follow Ups:
|
| [Reply] [No Email] |
|
| Jeff Wallace
07-13-2006 00:18:04
75.30.78.39
14352
|
|
Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Problems in reply to Jerry/MT, 12-31-2003 21:17:27
|
| I have competly torn apart and put back together two 4610 4-wheel drive tractors for a winery out here in Napa,Ca. These operators just love to pull and cut wires when there is any problems, ha ha. Yea your harness is gonna be a pretty penny and thats just the start of it. Im having trouble finding parts for the front axle, both four wheel drive units had to be overhauled, parts alone were around $6000.00! and im not even done yet. Anyways to give you some advise on your electrical problems, if you have a voltage tester that can test for 12 volts then first test the battery when the engine is off, if you have more then 12 volts (usually around 12.50/12.70 somewhere around there is good)it should start no problem, if so then run your engine and test it again. The alternator should be putting out anywhere from 12.50 to 14.00 volts. If the battery is not getting that many volts then you might have a bad alternator but you then should test the wires coming out of the back of the alternator, if you get the same reading there as the battery then you have a bad alternator. Now if you get a different reading there then the battery, like more then 12 volts, your alternator is ok but this means you have a break in the wiring harness somewhere. This is a big process to trace wires and try to find a break. The easiest thing to do in this situation is go down to your auto parts store and ask for a GM internally reagulated one wire alternator, commonly found on mid to late 80s' chevys, also hotrodders love to use them on their cars because they make wiring easier. When you find this alternator, put it in place of the alternator on the tractor now, you might have to make or find a new upper bracket to hold it,and maybe a longer belt. Then just run a 10 ga wire from the alternator straight to the battery, this will give your battery the constant 12-14 volts it needs to remain charged. Another thing to is always make sure you have good grounds, any corrosion will not make a good contact and it will seem like your battery is dead, remove and seal any rust, oxidization, and paint. Whoa look at the time, gotta go, good luck, let me know how it works out.
|
[Reply] [Send Email] |
|
| Rod F.
01-16-2004 12:38:35
142.177.109.16
8365
|
|
Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Problems in reply to Jerry/MT, 12-31-2003 21:17:27
|
| | Hi Jerry, Guess I can't say this info was quick (haven't been on since a while), but I'll try to help. I usually just make a harnass. Get some different color wire at the truck supply, and a good terminal set, and some electrical tape, and go to it. Trying to think about it, but it's not really a whole lot of wiring... oil pressure sender, coolant temp. sender, four wires to the alt, thermostart, 2 for the air restriction indicator...well ok, it's a few. 16 ga is probably ok for most, except 12 or 14 for the thermostart and 10 or 12 ga for the main from the alt. Plus, it's fun figureing out that kind of mess. Trailer cable is another option, but it is heavily guarded. Easier to just bundle and tape up the different wires. It will look just as good as new, color coded and all. You just won't have the multi-connectors. So it cost some time and some wire (100 bucks and you have lots of left overs). Good luck. Rod
Follow Ups:
|
[Reply] [No Email] |
|
| Jerry/MT
01-19-2004 18:21:54
206.231.182.243
8377
|
|
Re: Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Problems in reply to Rod F., 01-16-2004 12:38:35
|
| Thanks Rod. I figured that I would have to do it that way. It looks like a Lucas designed system (ugh!) from the circuit diagrams. I was hoping to do it the easy way by finding a ready made harness but I guess it ain't to be. I think you're right though;getting rid of the big multi-conectors will be a plus. Any advice on where to get similar color coded wire? It would be nice to have the color coding the same so it would match the wiring diagrams. Thanks again
Follow Ups:
|
[Reply] [No Email] |
|
| Kent in NB
02-10-2004 17:14:51
198.164.250.52
8531
|
|
Re: Re: Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Probl in reply to Jerry/MT, 01-19-2004 18:21:54
|
| I have an 1985 4610 that experiences the same no, or low charge problem. Normally, it is just a loose fan belt causing the alternator to not work properly. Have you checked your belt tension? We have just gone through -30'C with -48'C wind chill so understand your weather. Oh yeah, it's a damp cold here in the east! Good luck
Follow Ups:
|
[Reply] [No Email] |
|
| Rod F.
01-24-2004 09:25:26
142.177.75.81
8398
|
|
Re: Re: Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical Probl in reply to Jerry/MT, 01-19-2004 18:21:54
|
| | Hi Jerry, I usually get wire at Parts For Trucks, but you probably don't have them out there. I think most truck parts suppliers should have a good selection that would be close, but you wouldn't have the correct stripes on the wires. Mabey a good industrial supplier in your area? Only other thought I would have is to just draw a revised wiring diagram, and keep it with your manuals. If you were in the market for a new alternator, swapping a one wire Delco in for the Motorolla would save some trouble too, unless you want to keep everything original. Hope this helps. Good luck. Rod
Follow Ups:
|
[Reply] [No Email] |
|
| Jerry/MT
01-24-2004 20:04:24
206.231.182.227
8403
|
|
Re: Re: Re: Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electrical P in reply to Rod F., 01-24-2004 09:25:26
|
| Thanks for the ideas Rod. I'm located in NW Montana. If you have an web sites that I might be able to use to get color coded wire, that would help. I'll probably hit the auto electric shops in Missoula and see what I can find. I like your idea about revising the color code to the "as built" colors when I am done. We just moved up here last year and I just found the packing box with my manuals yesterday. Heck there is a lot of wiring there! I just need to rewire the area around the main connectors and the voltage regulator, but that area is a mess to work in without taking out the 2 ton battery!
I take it you've worked on these beasts a time or two. Thanks again for your help.
Follow Ups:
|
[Reply] [No Email] |
|
| william
10-19-2006 06:07:53
152.163.100.10
15125
|
|
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 1982 Ford 4610 Diesel Electric in reply to Jerry/MT, 01-24-2004 20:04:24
|
| why not just buy a new battery every year?
|
[Reply] [Send Email] |
|
[Options]
[Printer Friendly]
[Return to Forum]
[Add a Reply]
|
