Ford F-150 Alternator Cable Short: Random Shut-Off Fixed | Auto Electrical Repair Broken Arrow

When a Ford F-150 started randomly shutting off—no lights, no dash, no warning—it was clear something major was wrong.

featured image for blog post about auto electrical repair on a ford f150 with an exposed alternator cable at t autocare takedown auto repair in broken arrow


In today’s video, we show you how our mechanic diagnosed a hidden electrical short caused by a damaged alternator cable.

If your vehicle randomly loses power or won’t stay running, it could be a sign of a deeper electrical repair issue. Here’s how we tracked it down.

👉 Watch: How we diagnosed a hidden alternator cable short on this Ford F-150—fixing random electrical shutdowns the right way.


What Was Happening: Random Electrical Shutdowns

The customer explained their truck would drive fine… until suddenly, everything would cut off:
⚡ No headlights
⚡ No instrument cluster
⚡ Engine shutdown

The symptoms pointed toward a major electrical failure, but it wasn’t obvious at first glance.


How We Diagnosed the Problem

When a customer brings us an electrical mystery like this, we start with a full diagnostic scan.
The scanner showed irregular voltage patterns, but we needed to dig deeper.

During a careful visual inspection, our mechanic spotted the culprit:
An exposed alternator cable!
It turns out the customer had installed a new alternator themselves, but accidentally crimped the wiring during the install, causing an intermittent short circuit.

In cases like this, random shorting can kill power to the entire truck—including shutting off the running engine.


The Repair: Fixing the Alternator Cable

Rather than just slapping in a new alternator again, we properly repaired the damaged cable.
This is a perfect example of why starter and alternator repairs aren’t just about the part itself—wiring integrity is crucial.

Once the wiring was fixed, the truck fired up strong and stayed running with zero electrical issues.

If your vehicle is losing power or showing random electrical glitches, don’t risk it.
Come to a shop that knows how to chase down even the trickiest electrical problems!


Why Professional Electrical Diagnostics Matter

Auto electrical issues aren’t always obvious.
Without a proper diagnostic service, a misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary parts replacement, wasted money, and lingering issues.

At T Autocare Takedown, we specialize in:

  • Electrical diagnostics for cars and trucks
  • Short circuit detection and wire tracing
  • Alternator and starter repairs
  • Battery drain diagnosis
  • Electrical repair for Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, and more

Looking for a mechanic near me you can trust for complex electrical jobs in Broken Arrow? You’ve found us.


Book Your Electrical Repair Appointment Today

đźš— Seeing random electrical issues or dash lights?
đźš— Trouble starting your car?
đźš— Lights flickering or battery draining?

We fix it all—without the guesswork.

📞 Call us: (539) 367-3738
📲 Text Us: (539) 352-5816
đź’» Schedule online here

📍 Visit us:
T Autocare Takedown
1501 W Detroit St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012

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