fully charged battery but no power - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Squareforceone · 07-31-2015, 10:23 PM

Hello, my 1984 c10 has been sitting for awhile and i messed with today including putting on a different starter (which might be the problem) well I went to start it and it didn't turn over at all. Lights were on but dim horn wouldn't work etc.. tried jumping it no change meaused voltage at the battery it was 12.6 volts should be fully charged.. doesn't the power feed come from the terminal on the starter that has the positive battery cable going to it. Could I of not got that tight enough?? I also put on new battery cables, the positive goes from the battery to the big post on the starter. The negative from the battery to the passenger side frame rail.... any ideas?

**73kay** · 07-31-2015, 10:56 PM

I could be wrong but doesn't the negative terminal have to attach to the block? Then ground straps to the frame and cab. Just a thought until others chime in.

77 Big 10 · 08-01-2015, 12:15 AM

Yup, on mine it goes to the alternator bracket. You can have voltage in a battery, but almost no amps. If moving the ground cable does not do it, have the battery tested under a load.

Squareforceone · 08-01-2015, 10:08 AM

I'll try moving the battery cable i suppose, I know the battery is good It's the one out of my daily driver Lol. Besides grounds where else should I look? The ground cable had been hooked up where I have it now before and it worked

77 Big 10 · 08-01-2015, 12:24 PM

From your description, it sounds like only a little power from the battery is getting to the starter and then on to the rest of the system. Since the battery is good, there are only a couple things that would keep the systems from getting energized. The cables bring the + & - to the rest of the electrical system. The positive goes to the starter, and from there to the other systems. See if it is tight. But just as important is the ground. So that is where I'd look second. Clean all paint, rust and grease from a spot on the block, cable end or bracket bolted to block. If you choose a bracket, remember to clean all contact points between the bracket and block, and where you are going to bolt the cable. The starter is bolted to the block, so the ground should bolt directly to the block also, if possible. Good luck

07-31-2015, 10:23 PM	#1
Squareforceone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rustville USA or southeast Ia Posts: 654	fully charged battery but no power Hello, my 1984 c10 has been sitting for awhile and i messed with today including putting on a different starter (which might be the problem) well I went to start it and it didn't turn over at all. Lights were on but dim horn wouldn't work etc.. tried jumping it no change meaused voltage at the battery it was 12.6 volts should be fully charged.. doesn't the power feed come from the terminal on the starter that has the positive battery cable going to it. Could I of not got that tight enough?? I also put on new battery cables, the positive goes from the battery to the big post on the starter. The negative from the battery to the passenger side frame rail.... any ideas? __________________ Rust is better than rice.

07-31-2015, 10:56 PM	#2
73kay Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Indy, IN Posts: 637	Re: fully charged battery but no power I could be wrong but doesn't the negative terminal have to attach to the block? Then ground straps to the frame and cab. Just a thought until others chime in. __________________ Andrew 1953 3100 292 T5 1985 K5 Blazer 350 700R4 208

08-01-2015, 12:15 AM	#3
77 Big 10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: La Quinta, CA. Posts: 131	Re: fully charged battery but no power Yup, on mine it goes to the alternator bracket. You can have voltage in a battery, but almost no amps. If moving the ground cable does not do it, have the battery tested under a load.

08-01-2015, 10:08 AM	#4
Squareforceone Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rustville USA or southeast Ia Posts: 654	Re: fully charged battery but no power I'll try moving the battery cable i suppose, I know the battery is good It's the one out of my daily driver Lol. Besides grounds where else should I look? The ground cable had been hooked up where I have it now before and it worked __________________ Rust is better than rice.

08-01-2015, 12:24 PM	#5
77 Big 10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: La Quinta, CA. Posts: 131	Re: fully charged battery but no power From your description, it sounds like only a little power from the battery is getting to the starter and then on to the rest of the system. Since the battery is good, there are only a couple things that would keep the systems from getting energized. The cables bring the + & - to the rest of the electrical system. The positive goes to the starter, and from there to the other systems. See if it is tight. But just as important is the ground. So that is where I'd look second. Clean all paint, rust and grease from a spot on the block, cable end or bracket bolted to block. If you choose a bracket, remember to clean all contact points between the bracket and block, and where you are going to bolt the cable. The starter is bolted to the block, so the ground should bolt directly to the block also, if possible. Good luck



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