Again, No Start 83 GMC Pickup (SOLVED!)

[Donnie]

Well shoot.

Started it up and it drove wonderfully all the way to work, idled for a few minutes in the parking spot, and turned the truck off. No switches were left on. (I checked when sitting in the now non functioning truck, that all the switches were indeed off.) AC was turned off before getting out of the truck. Fluids are good.

I inserted the key into the ignition and turned to the on position, and the normal lights came on. When turned the key to start, all lights turned off, one single click was heard, and then nothing. Attempts to return the key proved fruitless.

A coworker happened to be driving past and stopped to assist. We hooked up the jumper cables, and Nothing. Not even spark going to the negative terminal or ground in my truck. Took cables off ‘accidentally’ touched the two ends that were to be hooked to my truck up, and they sparked, so there is power going through. Re-hooked up, and went to try and turn the key in my truck again, and No lights. Tried the headlights to see if any juice was going through the system. Nothing.

I checked the fuseable link that was replaced previously, and its good. The repair from the other day is good.

I’m at a loss. Will be needing to tow it, AGAIN, unless we can come up with some suggestions. D:

Topic

[Its me]

I would take a hard look at the battery ground and ensure you have good battery connections and have the battery tested. Barring this and if you have a good ignition switch then you may need to check all your fuses… You may have blown a main fuse (100 AMP). Also you may have connection issues with some wires as well. A thorough visual inspection may find an issue, but may need to be traced with a DVOM.

-Karl

[Donnie]

Update time!

Took it in and crawled all around, checking all the connections and everything looked good. Battery Tested good at 12.7, and on a hunch, checked the power cable that goes from the battery to the stack of connectors at the starter. The one coming from the battery checked out good, but the one just beneath it had no power. Unhooked battery, then unhooked the connection and BAM, straight up corrosion preventing any kind of current to go from the cable connected to the battery, and anywhere else. It looked fine on the outside which is why I thought it was fine.

Cleaned off the corrosion from all the connections I could find and unhook, and the grounds, just to be safe. Hooked everything back up, and starts right up! (I’ll have to watch this for the next time, as I don’t have anything to put on there to prevent it from coming back. Any suggestions?)

[Louis Reed]

Dielectric grease is what I use for battery terminals.

[Author]

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