Bonnie doesn't start...

[Bonnie_72_F100]

'72 F100, 360 FE

So, I let her sit for 1 week while I was away on business. I know, not smart. She did not start (not even an attempt to turn over). So I hooked jumper cables up and when I turned the key the solenoid made a loud clicking sound.

So, I figured that was the problem and it needed to be replaced. I picked up a new one & installed it. She would not even try to turn over when I turned the key (even w/ new solenoid). Instead, with new solenoid, the solenoid made the same loud clicking as it did with the old one!

Can anyone diagnose this for me!? I'd love to get her running again.

Thanks,
Cooke

[FORDification]

Just an almost-dead battery. Charge it up and it'll probably fire right up.

Then you can get started tracking down the reason your battery was being drained while you were away.

[Bonnie_72_F100]

Top 3 things that drain a brand new battery in a week... ?

[ToughOldFord]

1) Radio, amp, lights, any accesories that you've added that are powered even with the key off.

2) Bad ignition switch.

3) Brake light switch sticking on.

[Banjo]

Had a big block Galaxy 500 XL convertible along time ago (with air even) and kept killing batteries, like within few days right after I got it, it was an interior light under the glovebox area that bulb was blown and had short and it would kill a new battery FAST. Once that was tracked down and fixed, never had any more problems with battery drain.

[Bonnie_72_F100]

Hm................. Good guess on the brake light! It does come on but only when key is in ignition. The radio was definitely not on b/c I broke the antenna while covering Bonnie up the other day & have not turned the radio on since. Lights are likewise off.

Is there any way to diagnose a bad ignition swith without tearing it out and replacing it?

Thanks,
Cooke

[fordman]

its not the switch. it wouldn't do anything if the switch was bad.. the clicking is a real dead battery or when you jump it the conection is just not good enough to get the full jump from the other battery.

[oldschoolrods]

check the actual brake lights themselves, sometimes the under dash switch in these gets wore out and then the brake lights stay on

[FormerMarine1981]

I know you have probably already checked this but I have had problems with the relay clicking with bad connections on the battery posts.