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No electric on engine start?

kjjz28

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kjjz28 Enthusiast

kjjz28

Posted
Posted

Changed the batteries in my Duramax last Monday. Everything was going well until today. Get back in the pickup and turn the key and nothing...no buzz, no alarm, no lights, nothing. I faintly hear some tone/alarm under the dash. Can't even remember what it sounded like. Pop the hood, open the "electrical center" under the hood and happen to notice the red battery cable connector cover (with the ground post) near the heads isn't closed. Closed it, get back in the pickup and it starts right up, lights on, everything. Voltmeter shows over 14 volts. Battery light on the msg center comes on for about 3 seconds after startup but then goes off.

 

Any idea what could've caused this? Just don't want to be stranded. Thanks folks!

kjjz28 Enthusiast

kjjz28

Posted
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Posted

Update...this a.m., went to start the pickup and it was "sluggish" on startup but then turned over. I noted the voltmeter was around 10-11. I revved the engine a bit and let off and then the voltmeter jumped up to around 14 where it stayed. Is it possible there is a voltage relay that may be going bad? I can't figure out why it wouldn't have had any juice at all yesterday afternoon then all of a sudden "turn back on". Battery light on msg center didn't come on. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Steady Eddie Enthusiast

Steady Eddie

Posted
Posted

"I'm watching your thread here like a hawk.

 

I have much the same thing going on. Although it is a Vortec 454."

================

 

I fixed it...bad ground on the Chassis end of the minus (-) cable.

The boys at Newmar grounded it with a 1/4-20 bolt, thru a crimped

on cable end that had a 3/8" hole in the cable end..very bad..

cleaned it up with a brass

brush and used a fresh star washer. It started 14 times in a row,

cold or warmed-up. I knew it had to be something simple.

 

:D

 

On the road again :thumbs:

HyperBuzzin Enthusiast

HyperBuzzin

Posted
Posted

My first thoughts are a bad or loose battery connection somewhere.

Second thoughts would be a bad battery. Even if it is new, it could have a bad cell in it. Take the battery to an auto parts store that can do a load test on it, and be sure ALL connections are tight & clean.

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