No power/ very dim headlights

[nmxhustla]

So I was on the trail yesterday and after about an hour I turn off the truck. About 20x minutes later I go to start it and the starter cranks crazy slow a few times then nothing. It's a proform hi torque starter btw. So I get under the truck and all the connections look fine and I check battery voltage and I got 12v. Then I touch the starter and its crazy hot. And no im not running a heat shield on it. So I pop the starter off to do a bench test with some jumper cables and the starter is cliking and bearly pushing out the starter gear but its not even spinning. So boom dead starter, probably overheated since its right under my headers and its a 454.

I install a new starter just a stock one nothing fancy so I can get it off the trail and then suddenly i have no power to anything. I turn the key I get no fuel pump whine and that things loud also can't roll up the back window and the voltage guage pops up to show its active but then stays ring at the very bottom. Ended up getting flat towed home but now idk what the hell is going on.

 

[nmxhustla]

I left out some stuff sorry, its a 1991 k5 with a full stand alone Pfo flo 4 set up. I already check connections at the bettery as well. Today I'm going to hose it down because its covered in moon dust inside and out. Then I'll start troubleshooting again, should be easier not being in the middle of the desert

 

[dyeager535]

Check for voltage on the engine side of the firewall where the junction block is. Driver's side, should be red wires going to it. They come from the starter.

 

[ZooMad75]

Sounds like the fusible link popped between the starter and junction block.

 

[Joel Wilson]

check your grounds, alternator and all battery connections. Any corrosion can make a big difference. I had a loose ground wire on the 2nd battery, a marginal alternator and it finally smoked the starter which in all fairness had been on there for at least 20 years. I replaced the starter with a gear reduction, replaced the alternator, and all of my battery cables and connections. No problems since. I did not want the Jimmy to have a sordid love affair with the tow truck.

Joel
norcal