12-11-2017, 08:51 PM | #1 |
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Location: Fruita, Colorado
Posts: 222
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Troubleshooting help
Ok guys,
I just got the old girl up and running again so I can use her as a daily driver. I was going through things and ended up replacing the starter (it was weak and grinding) and the alternator (bearing shot and barely producing a charge). Before I replaced all of this stuff early morning a couple days ago I pulled out of the driveway and lost all power, headlights, radio, engine died. Very strange. Within 10 seconds it comes back and I restart and park it at home for the day. This weekend after replacing all the above stuff I drove her around the back roads hard trying to see if she will die again. I could not get her to duplicate the problem. This morning I start her up and leave. Halfway down the on ramp to the interstate it does it again. Lose power, all lights, radio. I pull over, and call wife. For grins I put on my battery jump starter and notice the battery is a zero volts. Nothing, Nada. I run home and get a backup battery I have for the camper to try and get her home. Hook it up and she starts like normal. I'm about to drive away and before I shut the hood I notice sparks aft of the starter. I quickly unhooked the battery and pulled her home. Tonight I get home and try to find where the sparks are coming from. I crawled under the truck and looked all over the starter area. I don't see a thing. I hooked up the battery from the top and could see some sparks but can't pin point the exact spot. I don't have a helper until this weekend to have someone connect the battery while I'm under there. What could be causing this short? I have new wiring throughout the truck, kits from Classic parts, and the start wiring is very clean and precise. I wire airplanes for a living so I know wiring pretty well. Where could this short be? There aren't any wires around there and I can't find any burn marks. Could the starter be shorting directly to engine? This only happens when the battery is hooked up. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Cheers.
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1966 Chevy C-10 350 Engine 700R4 |
12-12-2017, 06:23 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Lambertville, MI
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Re: Troubleshooting help
grounding problem? body ground strap missing/broken? wish I had more, I'm not much of a wiring guy.
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12-12-2017, 11:22 AM | #3 |
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Location: Fruita, Colorado
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Re: Troubleshooting help
I was thinking about grounds too, they are an issue with our trucks, but would a ground strap cause a short that is a direct path from the battery? I'm asking, I don't know.
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1966 Chevy C-10 350 Engine 700R4 |
12-13-2017, 12:02 AM | #4 |
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Re: Troubleshooting help
I would be suspect of the starter.
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12-13-2017, 12:34 PM | #5 |
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Re: Troubleshooting help
My concern would be the starter as well. Even though it's new quality control isn't what it use to be. I'm sure it has a warranty. I'd pull it off and bring it back to swap out.
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12-13-2017, 01:11 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Salinas Ca.
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Re: Troubleshooting help
This may sound crazy but the starter is now the main grounding circuit. Look at how it is actually bolted up. Did you use anti-sieze on the bolts? Is the new starter painted?
Honestly this is something that happened to me on another GM starter. |
12-14-2017, 12:48 AM | #7 |
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Location: thomastown mississippi
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Re: Troubleshooting help
If you suspect the starter proper disconnect the cab feed & other wires from the solenoid, re install the Positive cable & re attach the cable to the battery. If it is the starter it should spark then & should eliminate the rest of the wiring.
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12-16-2017, 07:51 PM | #8 |
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Location: Fruita, Colorado
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Re: Troubleshooting help
And, it was the starter. Thanks guys. I was leaning toward that but it's always nice to get more input. I appreciate it.
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1966 Chevy C-10 350 Engine 700R4 |
12-18-2017, 10:27 PM | #9 |
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Location: san bernardino ca
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Re: Troubleshooting help
The problem here is china chit. lol
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12-18-2017, 10:38 PM | #10 |
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Location: Fruita, Colorado
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Re: Troubleshooting help
Yep
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