Electrical trouble shooting question.....

[knsmodels]

I was driving the truck the other day, went where I had to go and come out and the starter clicks a few times then nothing.....complete truck is dead....no lights, fourways, nothing..........push start it (4 speed) and it starts right up and everything is fine.....get it home shut it off and dead....I so far have checked my grounds, replaced the battery, and replaced the selenoid to no avail.....when I put the new battery in I tried the interior light and it came on.....I hit the key and out it went and truck is dead.....I am done fiddling for tonite so I am curious for some input so I can get back at it tomorrow......Thanks in advance.......

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I would start by checking the bulkhead connector. Make sure the #10 red wire terminal is making connection inside the bulkhead connector by pulling connector apart and cleaning the terminals.

Jim

[Longhorn Man]

actually, I would check first with inspecting the battery cables real close on both ends, and maybe have someone else turn the key while you have your head under the hood. The darker the better (now would be good). You'd be looking for a spark.

It sounds to me like the load of the starter is making the connection go bad, like when a battery cable is loose.

[knsmodels]

I will check the bulkhead connector tomorrow.....cables are definately tight at battery, starter and ground to engine.....took them off sanded any rust off and reconnected........

[neonlarry]

I think what Andy is talking about is where the wire goes into the clamps\connectors.

[knsmodels]

well....back at it.....this is perplexing........disconnected the bulk head and cleaned all the connectors.....there is power going into the bulk head via the red wire and there is power on the otherside of the bulkhead (interior side) not sure what all should be hot.....anyway truck is still dead.....occasionally the interior light will come on but as soon as I try the lights it goes out and does not come back on.......anyone????

[Shyguy]

I wash having the same problem with my 77 GMC dump truck. I checked the positive and negative battery cables and found that they were corroded inside the insulation.

I replaced both cables with new heavier duty cables and have not had the problem since.

Danny

[steelhorse]

Sound like a battery cable problem,either poor connection or corroded cables

[68gmsee]

Battery cables here, also.... At least that would be my next step.

If you were to cut the terminal connector in half lengthwise, you would see that where the problem occurs is internally. Where the cable copper wires mate with the lead terminal.

That's what they mean when they say cable connectors. I've had a couple of cables go bad like that and you can't see the problems from the outside.

[knsmodels]

Thanks to all who replied.......negative battery cable was the culprit.....all is well.........as was said it looked fine on the outside but apparently not on the inside........

[Shyguy]

Sure glad that you found the problem.

Thank you for letting us know what was wrong.

Danny

[Longhorn Man]

sweet