Can someone tell me what these wires on the fusebox do?

[team39763]

I was trying to re-wire my truck and I thought I was doing pretty good until I went to start it and nothing works.  Here's what I did...where did I mess up at? Could someone please guide me through this.

On left side(from front) of fusebox in engine bay:
1st wire - Large Red - removed
2nd wire(below ^) - Large Pink - ran to + post on the starter. I assumed powered the fuse box.
3rd wire(below ^) - Large Purple - ran to small post on starter. I assumed was from the ignition/key.
4th wire"" - removed
5th wire - Large Red - ran to ALT
Rest of the wires are removed except tail-lights and a brown wire going to the brakes in front.

I would really appreciate any help with this.  Thanks.
EDIT: Forgot to add that nothing works - no lights no  nothing as if the battery wasn't even connected. I also noticed I don't have any fusible links...would that cause it to not start?

[team39763]

I checked and there's no power at the big post on the starter where the battery cable is connected.  But the ALT has power to it though and it's attatched to the opposite side of the killswitch.  I don't understand what went wrong here.  Looks like the killswitch is dead now.  The positive battery cable doesn't have any power to it with the switch on.  

[VileZambonie]

This makes no sense. 

Your B+ cable goes to the starter solenoid but there's no B+ there? Yet you have B+ at the alternator? Or am I reading you wrong?

[team39763]

It looks like the kill switch isn't working(one side is dead).  So the big cable going to my starter is dead.  I read your how to on fusible links, and I think I need to install some before I burn something up.  I'll probably remove the kill switch for now and run the big cable directly to the battery.

[HAULIN IT]

Team, STOP! If you have a wiring problem that you don't understand, you want to research & figure it out...not shooting blind & guessing. If you don't have some protection on the circuits (fusible link, fuse that can carry the load or a circuit breaker) you should not be hooking up the battery...Period.
 I'm guessing you ran the wire from the alternator back to the battery side of the kill switch? This would be how you have power at the alternator, but not at the starter. Sounds to me that the kill switch isn't working properly (power only on One side) regardless of which way it is turned. Do you have a constaint duty relay (Ford type) in there or just the big wire going from the battery to the kill switch, kill switch to the starter? Glad to help, just tell us what you have. Lorne     

[team39763]

Yes, alternator is hooked to battery side of the kill switch.  No, I don't have the Ford relay, I have the big wire from the kill switch to the starter.  I'm planning to go buy some fusible links in a couple hours since mine weren't any good.

[team39763]

I found the wiring diagram and PM'd another member and I think I have my wires sorted out now.  I just have to get back under the truck and do things right - fusible links, shrink wrap and new butt-connectors(I don't have a soldering gun).  I'd also like to say a big thank you to ChopTop for sending me that box of stuff a while back...every bit of it came in handy.  Thanks.

[choptop]

Not a problem. If you have more problems, draw it up like you did the last time, and shoot me an email. Its easier to see a diagram than to imagine how its setup by description.
 Lorne, I still owe you a diagram. I am sorry I havent done it yet. Things have gotten real crazy around here.

[werewolfx13]

Do you have a propane torch? Thats what I use for most of my soldering, it heats the wires fast enough that it seldom melts the insulation any worse than an iron, works far better than an iron if its cold out, and isn't as susceptible to being blown out by wind as butane.

[team39763]

I may look into buying a propane torch, sounds like something that I could use for many things.

[Irish_Alley]

Do you have a propane torch? Thats what I use for most of my soldering, it heats the wires fast enough that it seldom melts the insulation any worse than an iron, works far better than an iron if its cold out, and isn't as susceptible to being blown out by wind as butane.

i don't think it works real well on circut boards tho lol

[team39763]

I think I'm gonna buy both the soldering gun and a torch...if my wife lets me.HAHA.

[Irish_Alley]

you could do what i do and put your foot down, till she stomps on it and tells you off lol. or just say " i got a really good deal on it"

[team39763]

LOL.

[choptop]

Do you have a propane torch? Thats what I use for most of my soldering, it heats the wires fast enough that it seldom melts the insulation any worse than an iron, works far better than an iron if its cold out, and isn't as susceptible to being blown out by wind as butane.

i don't think it works real well on circut boards tho lol

Ive got a Bluepoint butane soldering iron, and I have repair many circuit boards. The thing is buy a good quality iron. I have used many other makes, the nifty little cool till you use it irons, and many others. The bluepoint iron have been old faithful for about 8 years now, and I use it daily.