1984 Conversion 2.8 L

[Sea'n]

Where was the smoke show?
Engine bay or cab?

There are two Orange fusible links, or just one?

Was ignition switch on or off?

 

[Sea'n]

Where was the smoke show?
Engine bay or cab?

There are two Orange fusible links, or just one?

Was ignition switch on or off?

Smoke was around the solenoid area. The Orange wire was hot. There was a pop just before the smoke. The key was off. Only one orange fusible link.

 

[RonD]

There has to be a minimum of 2 Orange fusible links
One is for the alternator/charging system(to black orange wire)
One is for the Ignition switch in the cab(to Yellow wire)

If there is an engine Fuse box then there should be a smaller red wire from battery to that fuse box OR a red wire from starter relay to the fuse box

Does Positive battery cable just have the one larger cable to start relay?

 

[franklin2]

No engine fuse box on these. He has a very early carbed setup with computer control. I don't have my diagrams out, but it may indeed only have one fusible link at the solenoid. The output wire for the alternator and the other alternator wires, though the alternator is on the pass side of the engine, go across the engine to the driver's side where the alternator regulator is located, and where the alternator output wire is spliced into the main cab power wire. That wire runs all the way across the radiator over to the solenoid.

 

[RonD]

Ford's Orange 16ga fusible links are rated for 22amps, (+/-3amps)

So there would need to be one for cab/ignition switch
And one for alternator/charging system

I can see these being linked together, not a great idea, but most of the alternator's amps go to ignition switch not to the battery, so that one fusible link wouldn't see too many amps, but then alternator is not protected by a fuse, a short in the cab wiring would smoke the alternator, fuses and fusible links are there to isolate and protect 12v wires and devices

Headlights also need a fusible link at starter relay?

I just can't see running the whole vehicle on one fusible link, you could, just shouldn't, and they cost $4-$7 so...............it ain't the cost, lol

 

[franklin2]

I still don't have my 84 ranger/BroncoII diagrams with me. But here is a 1986 larger truck diagram, you can see how the whole truck has one fusible link on it, except if it has other options which are fed with their own fusible links. You are correct, you can see down the line from the one main fusible link, it has smaller ones to feed the headlights (BK/O) and the ignition switch (Y). It looks like it did not have one that year just for the alternator.

 

[RobbieD]

There's a couple of different main power diagrams for 1984 models. Gas or diesel, and with ammeter gage or with battery light.

Let me know which instrument cluster you have and I can post the diagram for you.

 

[RonD]

Yes, that diagram makes sense of this one: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/files/diagram_charging_1983to1985_1.JPG

One Orange fusible link at starter relay, then 2 more fusible links on that one wire, one for ignition switch/cab fuse box(yellow) and one for alternator and head light switch(black/orange)

So OPs issue is downstream from starter relay's orange wire, he will need to start pulling the harness apart to find those secondary fusible links or where they were by passed

The "smoke" that came out should make the shorted circuit wire easier to find, i.e. melted insulation