Can30Diesel
Full Access Member
Hey guys,
I have been living with an intermittent yet slowly getting more constant issue with my truck. Here are the symptoms..
- Almost always after starting my truck for the first time in a given day and randomly on subsequent starts when I turn the lights on or turn the heater fan on, all electric power cuts out for just a second then comes back. At times its enough to cause the truck to stall and usually around that time the radio forgets all its settings.
- Randomly when I go to start my truck, I turn the key and nothing happens.. well everything electrical shuts off like it would normally while turning the key to start but the starter doesn't engage. I can turn the key off and on to start over and over and get the same result. Sometimes when I hold the key to the start position long enough the starter finally engages, and other times turning the key off then back to start over about 3 or 4 times it will cause the truck to start normally.
What I have done so far..
- I have checked and cleaned my two main grounds. they are good and clean.
- The issue persists with a new alternator and a new starter.
- All power connection points are clean, as are both battery posts on both batteries.
- Main ground cables are new. Main positive battery cables are original and have seen better days but they are clean and free of corrosion.
I have a feeling I have some bad ground somewhere or maybe there is some corrosion in the main battery cables I have not found yet. One way or another I have a major power draw on the circuit that the alternator initially can't keep up with.
I have had thoughts that it might be the headlight switch as I have read about those shorting out.
I have also thought it might be the relay/switch in the steering column that the key actuates might be wearing out.
I'll keep troubleshooting, however just putting this out there.. anyone ran into this before? Would any of these be enough to cause these symptoms? My truck was originally a farm truck rescue so anything is possible..
Thanks!
I have been living with an intermittent yet slowly getting more constant issue with my truck. Here are the symptoms..
- Almost always after starting my truck for the first time in a given day and randomly on subsequent starts when I turn the lights on or turn the heater fan on, all electric power cuts out for just a second then comes back. At times its enough to cause the truck to stall and usually around that time the radio forgets all its settings.
- Randomly when I go to start my truck, I turn the key and nothing happens.. well everything electrical shuts off like it would normally while turning the key to start but the starter doesn't engage. I can turn the key off and on to start over and over and get the same result. Sometimes when I hold the key to the start position long enough the starter finally engages, and other times turning the key off then back to start over about 3 or 4 times it will cause the truck to start normally.
What I have done so far..
- I have checked and cleaned my two main grounds. they are good and clean.
- The issue persists with a new alternator and a new starter.
- All power connection points are clean, as are both battery posts on both batteries.
- Main ground cables are new. Main positive battery cables are original and have seen better days but they are clean and free of corrosion.
I have a feeling I have some bad ground somewhere or maybe there is some corrosion in the main battery cables I have not found yet. One way or another I have a major power draw on the circuit that the alternator initially can't keep up with.
I have had thoughts that it might be the headlight switch as I have read about those shorting out.
I have also thought it might be the relay/switch in the steering column that the key actuates might be wearing out.
I'll keep troubleshooting, however just putting this out there.. anyone ran into this before? Would any of these be enough to cause these symptoms? My truck was originally a farm truck rescue so anything is possible..
Thanks!