212 F-150 -- No crank/ No start

[Woodchuck]

Hey Perch, can you post a pic of that battery cable? I'm curious to see it.

[Angry Perch]

Battery has been replaced since pictures.

[Woodchuck]

  Uh, how bout those cables? I'd bet a case of cheerleader beer, that's the issue.

[ballpark]

All those connections need some work and the right fuse link looks burnt/blown (maybe the picture).   You should replace that positive battery terminal connector, the second side view doesn't show much left.

[MR5x5]

...regarding jumping the starter.  If you are not comfortable with this sort of thing I'd wait till your new cable arrives and go from there.   If you do go ahead with jumping your starter, realize you need a big wire/cable to do it with as you are effectively shorting your battery to ground.  Think hundreds of cold cranking amps!  For kicks, you could jump your  starter solenoid with a 12 Ga wire to see if it clicks. 

Like you and other's haves stated, your old cables look pretty suspect. Personally, I'd wait and start there.

[Angry Perch]

Uh, how bout those cables? I'd bet a case of cheerleader beer, that's the issue.

Unfortunately the cable (harness) is two weeks out minimum. Jackelope mentioned cutting a bit off and redoing these connections to see if it clears things up temporarily, which I plan to do. I've had next to zero time to work on this. Just weird that without moving, touching anything, it will all of a sudden work.
 

[ballpark]

It's called Magic (electricity).  It's all about resistance and current.  Bad connections and deteriorated wire/fittings will impact both.  Based off those pictures you should check your body to frame grounds also.

[Rainier10]

I hate electrical stuff. You could check eBay but that’s a gamble.

[Fidelk]

Possible causes: starter solenoid.......nasty looking cables/connections.......don't forget any ground wires.

Instant fix: give the battery poles a slight whack with a hammer.

[Stein]

I would start by going after it with a wire wheel in the drill.  You might luck out and not have a problem with the terminal to conductor, only the terminal and battery post.  It's often worse there because you have a connection between dissimilar metals (copper, lead and whatever the bolts are made out of).  The copper to copper connection of the terminal to conductor tends to be less problematic.

You could also make your own new one, the tools and parts are widely available and relatively inexpensive compared with factory cables sometimes.

[Angry Perch]

I would start by going after it with a wire wheel in the drill.  You might luck out and not have a problem with the terminal to conductor, only the terminal and battery post.  It's often worse there because you have a connection between dissimilar metals (copper, lead and whatever the bolts are made out of).  The copper to copper connection of the terminal to conductor tends to be less problematic.

You could also make your own new one, the tools and parts are widely available and relatively inexpensive compared with factory cables sometimes.

Plan is to pull it apart the terminal tonight, wire wheel/ sand everything, and cut off and rebuild the cable ends if there is enough slack. Of course the beauty of working an intermittent problem is that you can never be 100% sure you fixed it! If you've never had the joy of being the guy that needs to be pushed off a ferry on a Friday afternoon, it's a real lesson in humility.

[Angry Perch]

I found a terminal that I should have in my hands tomorrow morning. It has a bolt on clamp to replace the factory crimp. I also got 250A and 125A fuses to replace the factory ones if necessary. Am I on the right track? I will still have the full harness replaced once I can get it.

[Rainier10]

I think that is your best option for being up and running this weekend.

Let us know how it goes.

[Angry Perch]

Just tracked this down and should have it tonight.

[wadu1]

I would also use some type of Dielectric grease or spray. Permatex or CRC makes some good products. Also check and see if you have corrosion under the wire jacket going down the wire.