I searched the forum but have not found my exact problem...

Have had some battery issues over the past month or so and had to jump it a few times. It's my teenage sons rig and I thought he may have drained the battery while working on it by leaving doors open and wiring a CB.

Anyhow, about a week ago it completely died during some cold weather. I mean, absolutely nothing. So we replaced the battery today and turned key on and all looked good until trying to start...one click and then all went dead. Absolutely nothing.
About 20 minutes later I went out there to test it...turned the key on again and everything looked good (dash lights, chime, fan, radio...) tried to start, one click again and nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I've re-checked connections to battery, fuses (which this isn't acting like a blown fuse), cussed a couple of times and really not sure what else to check.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

 

Welcome to the forum! First off, there are two things to do.


1. Take apart and clean the connections on both ends of both battery cables. This applies even if they "look good".
2. Remove your battery, charge it, and then have it tested at an auto parts store.


I have a feeling one/both of these will solve your problem, but if not, let us know and we'll go from there.

 

Ok...I literally just bought this battery today. You still think it needs to be tested? I checked voltage and it was good...I know that's not the end all with battery testing but I figured a bad cell on a brand new battery would be unlikely given the voltage reading.

 

1. Start by verifying all battery connections AND engine grounds.

2. You CAN get a bad battery from the parts store. Was this battery "load tested" before you took it out of the store? If not, I'd bring it back and have them load test it. Voltage testing is not enough and can absolutely be inconclusive.

3. The cable leading to the starter can also be bad. With the key in the ON position, use a meter and measure voltage directly at the starter. It should be approximately the same as voltage measured at the battery. If not, you have "voltage drop" which could be a bad cable.

 

Unlikely that it's bad, but anything's possible, and since it's easy to remove it and have it tested...

 

Ok...I will check all of that stuff and get back to you.
I have one question though...since nothing comes on, I mean absolutely nothing when turning the key on...does that change anything? At least in regards to starter etc? I mean, I'm not getting power anywhere.

 

Yes it does. I thought that you had dash lights, etc. as you described in an earlier post.

Check all fuses, both in the kick panel and also in the power distribution center (black box under the hood on the passenger side).

But pay very close attention to those battery cables as well. And grounds, grounds, grounds!

 

This rig doesn't have a fuseable link does it? If anyone ever had trouble with one of those, (like on my '72 Bronco) that's exactly how this is acting. Gotta be a fuse (though all under hood are good) or relay or something like that....or a fuseable link.

 

Yes, yes, yes.

 

Ok so the problem was the cable connection (both + and -) to the post clamps. My son had replaced these and they were both painted.

I found it because I tested voltage at the alternator and at the fuseable link. Both were showing about 3 volts. I rechecked battery and it was at 13 volts... hmmmmm.... took clamps apart, cleaned wires, sanded paint off of clams and made best connection I could, hooked it all back up and fired her up!

Thanks! Buy good battery clamps.

 

Even more important is to keep key engine electrical connections clean and corrosion free!
Grounds are as important as positive connections as well.