All electic goes dead when key to 'start'

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Sep 4, 2011 | 04:39 PM

leeg777

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All electic goes dead when key to 'start'

Our '97 Exped has a strange problem. When you turn the key to the start position, you hear a 'click' and all electical power goes off - radio, head lights, dash lights - everything. Turning the key to 'off' then back to run gives all electrical power back except all the radio stations are gone since power was lost to it. Everything looks normal until you try to start the engine again then back to all dead.

The truck had been driven much of the day with no problems, then upon trying to start it again the problem started.

The battery is new and we haven't had any rain recently (with 100+ degree weather and record drought in Texas).

I am assuming the problem is with some relay or something but I have been unable to find any info in my Haynes manual or elsewhere on this forum.

Anyone have this experience or an idea of the cause?

Thanks,

Lee
Cypress, TX

Sep 4, 2011 | 05:24 PM

LeeLeadingham

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IIRC - I had the same problem. Replaced the starter, solenoid on the firewall by the battery, and the starter relay, and my problem was solved.

Hope yours is not as bad.

Sep 4, 2011 | 10:55 PM

alloro

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A bad battery cable connection can also be the cause. Check all ends of all the cables for breaks, corrosion, or looseness.

Sep 5, 2011 | 12:11 PM

leeg777

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Loose battery cable it was! I never knew that would cause the symptoms I was getting and I assumed (some day I'll learn not to do this) the guy that installed the battery a couple of weeks ago insured the cables were tight.

Thanks for the help!