Truck Repair: 1983 Ford F250 4x4 electrical problems, starter solenoid, fuse block

Question
Hello Van ,

   I have a 1983 f250 7.5Liter . What happened was I found a loose connection on the positive terminal one night and while the truck was running and lights where onand radio and door open etc etc , I tried tightening the wire.  Well the wire sparked a couple of times and then the engine shut off, lost the lights everything. The cab still has power  but the truck will not start , no headlights , tail lights , aftermarket guages , dome light, turn signals , brake lights . I have checked around the cab , checked the back of the fuse block seems to have power I cannot find my ohm meter to test them all , but if thats not the problem then what else could it be?   I was told fuseable links  but where are they under the dash ?   I smelled electrical burning that night in the cab when everything went dead. are there any other possibilities that it could be one of those boxes under the dash ??? The vehicle still turns over it just wont start and I cannot find  where the problems are. PLEASE HELP WISE ONE !!!!!

Answer
Hello Michael,
I would check that same wire connection again, and make sure every wire connected to it is making good connection.

Fusible links are usually associated with Chevys, and I don't know if your truck even has any. But if it does, they would probably be connected to the battery stud on the starter solenoid.

Your missing power sounds like a relay not working. Check the fuses for one marked accessory.
The ignition switch is another possibility, but I doubt that would be the problem, especially if the headlights don't work. No relay or switch should affect them, other than the headlight switch.