I had gotten the truck running roughly (posted on another thread asking for advice on the 59) While trying to get the timing set properly I was running with the choke and it seemed to want to run best after TDC as the timing mark was showing up to the right of the index. At any rate, it died while I was adjusting it. I tried to start it back up and it cranked for a second and then everything died. No lights on the dash at all when I turned the key on. Is there a master/main fuse somewhere?

Sorry to be a pain, but until I make a trip to Lago Vista to pick up the manuals from my sister-in-law I'm working in the dark.

Thanks in advance.

 

From what I've seen from my 59, there is some fuses on the back if the headlight switch, that switch is pretty much the fuse box of the truck

 

Yep, looking up under the dash, I saw those. Guess I'll be pulling the dash to see if it's easier to get to. Probably won't happen until I get back from vacation though. Got too much other stuff to do in the next couple of days before taking off. Besides, it's too damn hot to be working on it out there right now.

 

Your telling me, in Tucson its hitting 113.....yowch

 

At least you don't have our Houston humidity. We're jumping on the bikes and heading to Gallup, NM saturday morning. Don't expect to see much relief from the heat until we get to the mountains.

 

On the fuses, there is no master fuse. Sometimes a bad connection at the battery (on + or -) or a loose/corroded connection on the battery side of the starter relay will do that - I have had it happen many times over the years.

Here's a tip on the fuses. If you do not like crawling under the dash to get at them, just reach up under and push the release button on the light switch and pull out the **** and stem. Then unscrew the retainer and pull the light switch down for easy access. Just takes a few minutes, and makes life easier.

 

Carter,may I tell you what I've done?After changing to an alternator,I installed a 10-circuit, weather-proof fuse box that I got from West Marine, but I'm sure you can get one at a marine supply store near you.

After supplying power from the battery,I've used over half the available circuits.The things I've given their own individual circuits include an AM/FM/CD in the glove-box, auxiliary driving lights, headlights w/relay set-up, utility lights in the camper-shell, auxiliary defroster for winter use only, and a separate circuit for the lighter to power a phone charger/gps/whatever.

In addition to the 2 fuses on the back of the headlight switch, there is also a self-re-setting breaker that is integral to the switch itself.If you remove the switch, being careful to mark every wire for correct re-installation, you'll see a movable ceramic wheel, which is part of the headlight brightness adjustment, and is a type of rheostat.This can sometimes be blown out gently with compressed air, have some contact cleaner shot into it, and may work again.If that doesn't do the trick, a new switch is in order,less than 100.00 usually.

Be very careful to re-install the wires where they belong on their correct terminals.Ask me how I know.

Steve

 

Have you checked the grounds on the engine and frame, from the battery? Also the battery terminals themselves. If you lose everything, it isn't likely a fuse, it's power from the battery. Why would all the fuses blow at once? No reason.

 

Ross,sorry,after re-reading the OP's post,I missed that he had no power whatsoever.I thought just the dash-lights weren't functioning.There is a main ground-strap from firewall to engine block, check that.But mainly, I would suspect the ignition switch, which can easily be tested.I just had the switch fail on me in this same manner recently,and fortunately have a well-stocked shelf of NOS parts.Both headlight and ignition switches have failed in recent months.

 

By "no dash lights when I turned the key on" I assumed he meant no idiot lights; if the Gen and Oil lights aren't lighting, that could well indicate a bad ignition switch. Not usually a fuse on that dircuit. But the battery connections are also suspect.