HEEEELLLP...electrical issue (assumingly)

ncsu2012 · March 31, 2017

Greetings! My first post here, but have been actually using/creeping/searching on this forum for a while, tons of beneficial information to be found. So first off, you guys rule

Anywho..

Recently bought a 2017 Z71 about two weeks ago, which I absolutely love. Decided to go with a 1.5" level, to avoid the potential problems of a larger kit, but to squeeze in some bigger tires (I know that's a whole other debate). In the process of installing the kit yesterday, I had two friends over helping me. One friend brought up an installation video on YouTube, in which the installer recommended to either unplug the power steering harnesses from under the skidplate, or disconnect the battery. I hadn't heard of such before, but since disconnecting the battery seemed to be the easier route, told my friend if he chose to do so, do it. I'm in the garage when I hear a loud zap....turn around, and he did touched the negative terminal to one of the three or four bolts coming out of the battery, which appear to be all connected to the positive wire...so in essence, +/-...causing sparks to fly. Kind of chuckled at how it made his beard stand straight out, and kept the process moving. Finished the kit, hopped in the driver's seat to go up the road and get it aligned, and.......nothing. Entire instrument panel is black, no sign of power anywhere inside. Only thing was the left headlight comes on, left running light is out. Right headlight out, but right running light works. This happened late in the evening yesterday, right as it was getting dark, so I was limited in how much I could look into it. I checked as many fuses as I could, with the exception of the larger ones/relay fuses under the hood. Also took the dash panel off seeing if it could be one inside as well, but haven't completely confirmed/denied that either.Wake up this morning, and there's basically a tsunami outside, so only so much I can do at the moment.

Before I get it hauled an hour away to my dealer....someone please tell me that this is potentially some fuse blown somewhere, and my truck hasn't been fried? Sigh.

Sierra706 · March 31, 2017

[emoji87]

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schooner44 · March 31, 2017

I'm not good work electrical stuff but the first thing I'd try is using a different battery or jumping it to eliminate the battery. Next, check those larger delays that you haven't checked. Other than that, I'm out of ideas but exhaust all resources before taking it to the dealer since you'll probably get charged a lot to diagnose an electrical problem.

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calgator73 · March 31, 2017

headlights etc are controlled by bcm. Would try disconnecting battery correctly, letting it set and then try reconnecting. If no good....tow to a dealer and don't volunteer what you did.

Coby7 · March 31, 2017

You blew a fuse, check the 150A fusible link on the positive lead.

Krusty · March 31, 2017

How did I know this would be someone's first post.......... Now to go look at my battery and see how this is possible - to avoid such injury............

HEEEELLLP...electrical issue (assumingly)

mookdoc6 · March 31, 2017

I would be "worked up" but don't be.....it's a fuse no big deal! The circuits are all protected. Been there seen dudes weld wrenches to the frames from electrical current off battery. Find the fuse carry on!

Krusty · March 31, 2017

............. I'm in the garage when I hear a loud zap....turn around, and he did touched the negative terminal to one of the three or four bolts coming out of the battery, which appear to be all connected to the positive wire...so in essence, +/-...causing sparks to fly. Kind of chuckled ............

Yea that set-up looks like you most def would want to disconnect the negative terminal FIRST. Then pop off the protective cover over all those heavy positive cables. Never seen such a thing OEM - I replaced both the batteries in my 2007.5 Duramax and it was pretty straight forward. No wonder they give you access to a positive lug on top for jumping.

Are there fuses/breakers right on top of the battery? Every connection is labeled for amps - I think by the main cable it read 175 amps! Note to self - let dealer install new battery when needed..........

gmtech117 · March 31, 2017

headlights etc are controlled by bcm. Would try disconnecting battery correctly, letting it set and then try reconnecting. If no good....tow to a dealer and don't volunteer what you did.

Yeah just let someone else scratch their head over it.. cause 150 amp mega fuses just blow on their own ?

calgator73 · April 1, 2017

Yeah just let someone else scratch their head over it.. cause 150 amp mega fuses just blow on their own

Well hopefully the fuses were checked first

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Hoginedgewood · April 1, 2017

Check the fuses, look where the Sparks happened, maybe damaged a ground wire close?

gmtech117 · April 1, 2017

OP... do you have a test light? Some of those fuses you can't check by just looking through them.

ncsu2012 · April 1, 2017

Whew. Ended up being the multi fuse plate, or whatever the proper terminology may be...that's attached to the top of the battery on these newer trucks (tried to include the pic, but was,too large). And with some sweet talking, warranty is covering it. I can breathe now. Probably a stupid question, but was freaking out. Thx to all you guys who took the time to respond