Truck starting issues

[Iliektruks]

Hello all,

I’m having issues starting my truck. I recently rewired the truck and when I went to start the truck it worked until it stopped. I changed the starter thinking that was it but after I changed it I tested the starter and it worked fine. I’m replacing the fusible link wire to verify that wasn’t it. When I do go to start it. The truck power dies until I reset power for the truck. I checked the grounds from engine block to cab, alternator bracket to battery, frame to core support(i reattached it). All the grounds were checking good after. I’m not sure what else to do at this point any help would be great.

The starter just makes a click then power dies also.

 

[Wes Harden]

Welcome to Ck5 @Iliektruks.
Not sure I understand what reset power means. Sound like the the starter draw over whelms a poor connection. Rechecking your grounds was a good idea, should do the same on the positive side. Good clean tight connections on both ends positive cable. The cables themselves might have high resistances.
Voltage drop test will show this quickly. Place a volt meter in parallel to the cables and record the voltage while attempting to crank. The lower the voltage reading the better. .05 volts is ideal, 2 or 3 volts is showing high resistance.

 

[Iliektruks]

Welcome to Ck5 @Iliektruks.
Not sure I understand what reset power means. Sound like the the starter draw over whelms a poor connection. Rechecking your grounds was a good idea, should do the same on the positive side. Good clean tight connections on both ends positive cable. The cables themselves might have high resistances.
Voltage drop test will show this quickly. Place a volt meter in parallel to the cables and record the voltage while attempting to crank. The lower the voltage reading the better. .05 volts is ideal, 2 or 3 volts is showing high resistance.

By reset power I mean disconnecting the positive cable and then reconnecting on the battery as well. I started going through and checking all my connections making sure everything is good.
Also one more thing to note was it started to score the battery post on both sides when trying to crank

 

[Wes Harden]

Sound like that connection is poor, your getting arcing there. Is this a side or top post battery ?

 

[rampage]

Yep, need to do a voltage drop test on your cables like Wes said. The insulation can hide the gangrene that’s forming on your positive wires causing a higher than normal resistance. But you should also check the grounds for voltage drops too in case they’re making a poor connection somewhere.

Why did you rewire the truck in the first place, were you having some sort of issue previously?

 

[Iliektruks]

Sound like that connection is poor, your getting arcing there. Is this a side or top post battery ?

It’s a top post battery

 

[Iliektruks]

Yep, need to do a voltage drop test on your cables like Wes said. The insulation can hide the gangrene that’s forming on your positive wires causing a higher than normal resistance. But you should also check the grounds for voltage drops too in case they’re making a poor connection somewhere.

Why did you rewire the truck in the first place, were you having some sort of issue previously?

Well I replaced the wire that was associated with the positive leading to the starter as well.
The truck was rewired because when I bought it the people before cut a lot of the wires they didn’t need any longer. They used it more as a mud truck so they eliminated what was no longer needed.
Also thank you for the help

 

[Wes Harden]

Top post should be much easier to get a good clean connection.
Loosen pinch bolt, spread the clamp with flat blade, may need to hold with pliers. Wire brush post and clamp. May need to smooth any gouging and curls.
Replace clamp, no coatings of any kind, loose any felt washer,
Tighten, not over tight just enough so you can't twist the cable terminal on the post.
Before you re connect the battery check the tightness on the starter end, and that is clear of any potential shorts to ground.
Any time you are connecting to a battery negative off first, and on last.
Keep us in the loop. We are here to help you enjoy your k5.

 

[Iliektruks]

Top post should be much easier to get a good clean connection.
Loosen pinch bolt, spread the clamp with flat blade, may need to hold with pliers. Wire brush post and clamp. May need to smooth any gouging and curls.
Replace clamp, no coatings of any kind, loose any felt washer,
Tighten, not over tight just enough so you can't twist the cable terminal on the post.
Before you re connect the battery check the tightness on the starter end, and that is clear of any potential shorts to ground.
Any time you are connecting to a battery negative off first, and on last.
Keep us in the loop. We are here to help you enjoy your k5.

So I changed the cable from starter to battery and then it started right up. I think the new cable I bought was the issue

 

[Wes Harden]

Good to hear, is what I was thinking. Curious what the voltage drop test would have showed.
Any way enjoy your running k5

 

[Iliektruks]

Good to hear, is what I was thinking. Curious what the voltage drop test would have showed.
Any way enjoy your running k5

Almost running lol not issues at distributor cap just haven’t go to troubleshooting it more.
I don’t get spark at spark plugs so hard to say where issue is

 

[Iliektruks]

Truck is running now the final issue was the ignition coil wire is only getting .25 bolts. I did a jump from battery source to ignition coil it started up immediately no issues. Thank you all for the help