expensive lesson learned today.

[Cutter26]

Well it all started out with my starter relay on my fender. It was clinking when I tried to start it, so I knew it needed to be changed. My truck broke down by a Canadian Tire, so I ran over and got a new part. I didn't have the right tools for the job so in putting the new part in I didn't disonect my battery and I arched my wrench on my fender. I tighten every thin up and I have no power anywhere. So I figured I blew the new starter relay. I went over to get a new one, plus I got a ten dollar socket set for my truck. After instaling the new part the truck still had no power. I pulled the fuses, the fuse box. I tried a bunch of mickey mouse redneck contraptions that I really don't have the time to explain or try to. I finally gave up and got her towed home. $80. I figured that because the fuse block wasn't getting any power,I must have fried my cable from the battery to the starter relay. Try explaining that part to the guys behind the desk. Nobody but the dealer has the part and its not in stock.$120 bucks for that. Good thing I didn't buy it. So I go to a scrap yard and find a Ranger to take the cable from and notice that hey, I think I have crossed up the wires. I get home and yup, the wires are crossed. From owning older trucks I'm used to having a cable go from the battery to the relay, and from the relay to the starter. Not from the battery to the starter and back to the relay. I changed it back to normal and vroom. In all it cost me $120 dollars to learn to whatch what I'm taking apart. I figure I'm a jacka#$ and today thats the only time I figured right.

 

[RobbieD]

I honestly think that just about every one of us has a similar "expensive lesson" story (or two, or more!). Hey; you learned something from it, so absolutely no need to beat yourself up over it. Live and learn.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Heh, I learned an expensive lesson recently... a couple actually....

Tried passing a semi a couple weeks back and though I passed ok, I promptly hit an icy spot an right off the road.... pretty much totaled my Ranger...

So I can drive my choptop, right? Well... yea... being the intelligent person I am I didn't think to move it yesterday before the storm.... so now it needs a headlight assembly, hood, fender and windshield since a 6" diameter branch about 12' long decided to fall on it... I have a spare headlight assembly but that's about it... if it was an 83-88 I'd have all the parts....

Anyone want to help me finish wiring up my 88 so I have something to drive? lol

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Damn blue, that sucks. Sorry to hear that.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Damn blue, that sucks. Sorry to hear that.

Now you see what I ment about other automotive problems... lol

Not overly sure how to handle my situation, wish it was as easy to fix as reversed wires. I'm half tempted to buy a beater truck to get me by for a couple months. I hate to spend the money to buy another truck rather than parts to fix one of the ones I already have, but the Ranger needs more than $300 in parts and I don't have a heated garage or warm and nice weather right now to be putting a windshield in the choptop. Plus I'm having trouble getting the choptop inspected, it seems inspection rules changed and you're no longer permitted to have a lift on a truck....

 

[PaleBlue90]

i think you learned another lesson. disconnect the batt. you will only arch something and burn your hand once....