Electrical Problems

[Hogback Fabrication]

My brother had to move my truck while I wasn't around and apparently the truck died (accompanied by smoke coming from under the hood, smelled like electrical) and would not restart. The starter doesn't crank, the (electric) fuel pump doesn't run, etc.

None of the fuses are blown and I have spent nearly two hours looking for burnt wiring and I can't find anything .

The thing that gets me is that the fuel pump and starter are on different circuits and whatever popped caused the truck to instantly stop running.

Could it be a fusible link? I know electrical problems can be really hard to diagnose like this but I'm hoping I'm overlooking something obvious.

Thanks in advance guys

 

[ryoken]

check the fusable link off the starter lug... They'll cook and be hard to find... especially if they're running up that metal, protection tube...

 

[Hossbaby50]

Yep, what he said. I had it happen to me before. There are fuseable links that are actually pieces of wire down by the starter that feed power to the firewall pass through that feeds everything inside the cab.

Check those. It isn't a bad idea to rewire that whole system from the starter to the alternator & also the firewall pass through with heavier wire. If you have added alot of stuff like lights, fuel pumps, etc it can be hard on the wiring there that was not originally rated for tons of power & is also 30yrs old.

Harley

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I forgot to mention that the battery reads 12.3 volts and that I'm running a Q-jet, but it sounds like checking that fusible link will be a good bet.

If that's the problem, should I worry that there are other problems that made the fusible link burn? Or should I just replace it and see what happens?

Thanks guys

 

[BLZN4FN]

I forgot to mention that the battery reads 12.3 volts and that I'm running a Q-jet, but it sounds like checking that fusible link will be a good bet.

If that's the problem, should I worry that there are other problems that made the fusible link burn? Or should I just replace it and see what happens?

Thanks guys

12.3v thats a good battery. I would check the fusable link if bad replace it and see what happens. But I think you have other problems. than the link if they are on 2 different sections. Best thing to do is get a test light check both sides of the fuse and from there start tracing wires. Also check all your grounds for good contact. I maybe able to stop by one night after work and lend a hand.

 

[BKinzey]

A fuse blows in order to prevent further damage. If a fuse blows it only stops the problem. It doesn't correct it. If you don't find out why it blew in the first place and correct that you are taking a good chance it will blow again immediately or soon after.

 

[Hossbaby50]

That is the reason I rewired the engine bay in my truck. I couldn't find out why the fuse blew. I did find that I had a wire chafe and start to rub through which I believe was most of the problem on one circuit but the other one I believe was just pulling to many amps through to small a wire that was 25yrs old.

Harley

 

[miniwally]

Chris get in touch with Toby(Moneypit) and find out where he has been getting his wiring harnesses from. They are a whole chasiss harness for a few hundred dollars and work well.

I would do the rewire thing with a whole new harness myself.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Chris get in touch with Toby(Moneypit) and find out where he has been getting his wiring harnesses from. They are a whole chasiss harness for a few hundred dollars and work well.

I would do the rewire thing with a whole new harness myself.

That's kinda what I was thinking.

 

[miniwally]

I used a painless harness for a street race car and have had great luck so far. It was easy to use and has been very adaptable over to our uses.

Toby and Nate have done the same but found a company that does the same basic deal for less $$$.

For what you are trying to end up with I strongly suggest it.

 

[Hossbaby50]

Agreed. I have a stand alone Painless Harness in my K5 for my TPI system and it works great. Price may be a little high but it is alot cheaper then alot of the TPI harness out there. The nice thing about the Painless was it was REALLY simple. Everything plugged right in with stock connectors. During the install I did have problems getting the truck to fire and I talked with Painless's Support Line & they were AWESOME too. Very helpful and helped me make sure I had everything hooked up right.

Harley