everything goes dead

[bailey9r]

i searched but did not find this discussed;
Has anyone had this problem?;
I can drive along in my 86 diesel and all power goes out except the horn and headlights, even the emergency flashers are dead. Could this be the block/link (?) on the firewall or a fuesable link somewhere? It sits for an hour and then everything is normal for months then it happens again. yesterday it happened just trying to start it cold. Thanks for any comments; Bailey

 

[ryoken]

check your starter connections...

 

[bailey9r]

i was wondering about that but the fact that the emergency flashers don't work throws me off does all that except the headlights and horn go through the power to the starter? And many thanks for responding.

 

[down4thakrown]

check your starter connections...

x2...and check for the power cable melted to exhaust...

 

[bailey9r]

ok will do, thanks again!!

 

[bailey9r]

I finally got time home to go into it and sure enough the main cable to the starter was carroded three inches from the conection. could probbably have just snipped it and pit a new end and been fine but I went ahead and replaced the whole cable. THANKS GUYS!!! YOU WERE SPOT ON!!!