01 silverado 2500 won't start.

[KillItWithFire]

Hey fellas, I have an 01 silverado 2500 with 200k on it. She ran flawlessly, until today. I drove it in to work this morning with no issues. It sat for 8 hours in the rain, with absolutely nothing on that would kill a battery (lights etc) I got out off work, opened the door, the interior lights came on like usual, put the key in the ignition, and nothing. Not even a click like a dead battery would cause. I also had zero power to anything (interior lights, horn, etc, like there wasn't even a battery in it) So just for the process of elimination, I decided to jump it with my work van. I got the cables hooked up, but still nothing, I checked the connections on the jumper cables, got a spark and my interior lights came on. Turned the key, it started, but ran very rough at first. It struggled to stay running for a minute. Then I unhooked the jumper cables, parked the work van in the garage, got into my truck, put it in drive and idled down the road. About 15 seconds later, my radio, lights, everything electric, started flashing and turning on and off, then the truck just died completely. Same as before ZERO power to anything, like the battery isn't even in it. So I walked back to the shop in the rain, got the van again, tried to jump it, but this time to no avail. I'm almost certain it's an electrical issue. Also, I'm not sure what it runs, but I blew the 40 amp fuse in my fuse box under the hood. Any suggestions would be great

[The Zip]

Get an electrical diagnosis, but if this was me I would be leaning to the alternator is done (based on what you said). If the alternator is done it would also make sense your battery was not charging correctly and is also dead. It will cost about 150 bucks for a remanfactured alternator if you want to go that route. If it's not the alternator, that's not a bad investment with that many miles if it turns out to be another electrical issue. Also make sure your grounding points are fastened.

[Doug_Scott]

Your description sounds like a classic bad connection condition. Always do the free stuff first.

Remove the battery cables and clean the connections, even if they look clean. Take a good look at the cable where it enters the terminal or lug. Twist and pull at that point and look for any powder coming out from under the plastic insulation right at the point where the wire enters the terminating connector. Remember there are two ends to every cable as well, and even if it appears to be clean and tight when you look at it, unless you have some special non-human eyes, do not trust that observation. Remove and verify every connection in the ground circuits.

[sahls01gmc]

I will echo what everyone else has stated. Check all of your grounds. The rain might just be coincidence. Just because the connections "look" ok, doesn't mean that they are unless you inspect them closely.

 

You can also have your battery and alternator tested for free at auto parts stores.

[KillItWithFire]

Thanks for the time and help fellas! it turned out to be a loose ground wire from the alternator. She's back up and running Ike a charm. Much appreciated!