Completely Dead - Help

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RAMurphy

Bob
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Well all, new one to me. Drove all over the place today with several stops. Got home and parked in the driveway to empty the truck. Got back in and it was hard to start. Cranked over ran poorly for a bit then died. After several tries I got it running and parked it in the grattage - knowing I would go back out and start it up again. After an hour or so I went out and attempted to start her up. Cranked over a couple times and then went completely dead. I mean completely - nothing worked. As if mo battery was in the truck. Popped the hood, checked the battery (over 12 volts). Disconnected the terminals to check them out and all was clean and looked great. Reconnected the battery, went to check the connections by looking in the driver's side and my security light was flashing. Turned on the ignition and fuel pump primed, dash board lights were on, windows and locks worked, stereo worked and all exterior lights worked. Went to crank her over - she starts to crank (half a second) then all is dead again - like no battery was installed. Tried a different battery ($%its and giggles). Exact same thing, Everything worked until I tried to crank it over. I'm at a lost. Thoughts/direction?
 

Fless

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Maybe bypass your starter relay. This video is for the later NBS series but some of it applies.


A voltage drop test might also show an issue with a connection or wire.
 
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RAMurphy

RAMurphy

Bob
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Did you check the engine block ground wire? The symptoms you are having copy a dirty/corroded/loose/broken battery wire. Check the positive wire at the starter solenoid too.
When I built this engine and prior to installing I cleaned all grounds. Double checked them this morning. All secure and checked good.
 
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RAMurphy

RAMurphy

Bob
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Narrowed this to a load issue and/or battery issue. Although I have never seen this failure mode in a battery. Here's my thought process/test results. The battery causing me issues is an Optima battery. It shows just over 12 volts on the voltmeter. I have a Napa battery that I fully charged overnight. It shows almost exactly 12 volts. Removed the Optima and put in the Napa. She started right up and ran great. Shut it off and started it up numerous times - no issues. Put the Optima back in - same exact problem detailed above. Very strange. The Optima is nearly six years old. Definitely an old battery in this extreme environment. Ordered new battery. More to follow and maybe a "Resolved" to this issue.
I don’t have any ideas other than the ignition switch like Fless mentioned Bob but I just wanted to wish you luck in figuring this out. I hate electrical issues. :console:
Thanks Mark. Itoo hate electrical issues.
 

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