All,

I just completed a timing job on my F-150, however I'm now at a loss. I hooked all the connections backup (so I think) and essentially have no power in the cab (i.e.: security light, odometer, radio, interior lights, head/tail lights....)

I have checked power with multimeter:
1.) battery to start = okay (I even "jumped" it with a screw driver)
2.) battery to alternator = okay

The truck started and had power before disconnecting all the top-end electrical, so it seems that I have overlooked something, but I am not sure what/where to check next.

Any help would be gladly appreciated.

2004 F150 SuperCrew Lariat
5.4L
4x4

Thanks

 

Do you have ANY power to any of the functional electrical systems? Need to know if ANYTHING works.

 

I'm guessing NOTHING electrical is working, almost like a ground isn't hooked up. The only ground I removed (to my knowledge) was the one to the left of the PCM that runs from negative battery terminal to truck firewall.

It seems I've overlooked (or possibly damaged) a main feed from battery.

 

Removed content - irrelevant information

 

The diagram shows it coming right off the battery, so yes it should have 12v. Then it runs into that central junction box with all the relays in it.
Where did you have the ground of your multimeter attached to? If you don't have the meter on a good ground, it doesn't help narrow down anything.
I'd start by making sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. Then look at the wires where they attach to the battery terminals make sure there's not a corrosion problem in the wires.
Then triple check that you've got the ground lug connected on the opposite end of the wire from the battery.
undo the battery cables from the battery and Check for continuity and or ohms from the negative battery terminal to a clean bolt on the frame or firewall. There should be little to no resistance between the two. You can do the same between say the + battery terminal and the starter or alternator. There should be very little resistance.

 

Edit:
I had the meter connected to ground. I am able to get 12V at the starter and off the alternator exciter wire.
May need to disregard some of the above post(s), I cannot find a Yellow/Light-Green coming off my truck. The wire I was following, is Yellow/Light-Blue and the schematic does show it going to starter motor. (I thought maybe it had "faded")
*** I went down the wrong rabbit hole on this one ***

Disclaimer: I am horrible at reading schematics.

So I'm back to square 1, but still think I'm not getting power to fuse panel in the cab.

 

The photo that needsmoarturbo sent to you shows three wires connected to the battery positive terminal. Have you got all three wires connected?

That's needsmoarturbo's point, are three wires connected? Maybe you missed one.

 

That was/is my picture that was posted, I removed it. If I have the 3rd wire in the engine bay, I can't find it. Could it be that 2004 didn't have it- I thought the 04-05 were nearly identical for wiring.

Anyways, I put a new positive battery terminal on, but no difference. It acts as though there is no battery installed.

​​​ Thanks so far for advice to this point.

​​​​​

 

it looks to me like one of the big lugs splits about 5" away from the battery into 2 wires, you can see it in the gap in the corrugatged sheathing there in you photo. I'm guessing that those 2 combined with the other heavy wire are the 3 main ones shown in the diagram.

 

I just went and lifted the hood on my 2007 f-150 4.6L 4x4 and this is what I see connected to the positive battery terminal
1) Large red cable
2) Smaller but still heavy black conductor that goes to the alternator (contains a fusible link)
3) Smaller still conductor wrapped in corrugated black plastic sleeve that travels towards the passenger side wheel well (behind battery) and I assume to the fuse box

I tried to post a photo but was not successful