Starter Solenoid install gone Bad

[mike55ihc]

I am writing this post for a friend, we have a big problem here my roommate was trying to install the starter solenoid the one that is on the passenger side firewall because he was having trouble starting it (that is another whole issue now ) so during the install he negelected to disconnect the battery so when taking off the power wires to the solenoid there was sparks and now the issues begin. So after they got the new solenoid installed now the truck won't do ANYTHING no lights, turning over, dash lights, or anything. So here is what we have checked so far all fuses under dash, fuses in fuse box under the hood, relay connections, etc. Now here is the weird thing we talked to a few mechanics and this is what we have come up with there is a "fail safe fuse" after the connection on the solenoid so we have been trying to locate this fuse and we have had no such luck. So just for clarification what i am refering to as a solenoid looks like a relay to me but others are saying it was a solenoid so SO PLEASE HELP WITH ADVICE YOU MIGHT HAVE

[tonypagnano]

no sure, if all the fuses are fine they maybe you should look for a fusible link, which is basically a part of wire that will be a smaller gauge then the wire it is connected to on both sides so in case of too high of current it will burn up instead of doing more damage

[no1fordnut]

Do you have any power to the fuses in the fuse box?? Check with a test light or best yet a volt meter..... Could be as simple as you put the power lead from the battery on the wrong side of the solenoid, needs to be with the other power leads, only cable on the opposing side of solenoid is the one going to the starter.

[mike55ihc]

I forgot to mention one part of the story we can get the truck to start and run as long as we touch the two big power post together with a screw driver but as soon as you take the screw driver off with the key on even it will die

[no1fordnut]

you've got to have the solenoid wiring wrong, recheck, look at someone else to compare if needed.