Electrical Issues when Starting
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Joined: Sep 2016
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Electrical Issues when Starting
Hi All,
I'm having some strange electrical issues and I've got no idea where to start fixing the problems.
Here is whats happening:
- Put the key into the ignition and turn to the "on" position, full power to everything no issues at this point
- Turn the key to the start position, get 1 click out of the starter and then lose all power to everything
- Turn the key off and back to "on" position, sometimes I get power at this point and sometimes the power stays dead for a while
- Check the battery, which is good (12.3 volts)
- At one point someone noticed some sparks coming from a connector near the back of the firewall on the passenger side (sits on top of a metal cover with a large positive terminal right behind it). I've disconnected this terminal, cleaned it and put on some dielectric grease all of which hasn't done anything.
- Basically I mess around with few things, check some connectors, let it sit for a few minutes and then it will start.
I have no idea where to even begin with this and I'm hoping for some help.
Thanks
Rob
I'm having some strange electrical issues and I've got no idea where to start fixing the problems.
Here is whats happening:
- Put the key into the ignition and turn to the "on" position, full power to everything no issues at this point
- Turn the key to the start position, get 1 click out of the starter and then lose all power to everything
- Turn the key off and back to "on" position, sometimes I get power at this point and sometimes the power stays dead for a while
- Check the battery, which is good (12.3 volts)
- At one point someone noticed some sparks coming from a connector near the back of the firewall on the passenger side (sits on top of a metal cover with a large positive terminal right behind it). I've disconnected this terminal, cleaned it and put on some dielectric grease all of which hasn't done anything.
- Basically I mess around with few things, check some connectors, let it sit for a few minutes and then it will start.
I have no idea where to even begin with this and I'm hoping for some help.
Thanks
Rob
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
When a sparking area was seen, what more do you need to at least look at and be sure those connections are securely tight?.
What happens when there is an intermittent issue?
1. Heavy current draw can 'melt' metal at the poor high resistance connection areas and causes a complete open circuit.
2. That metal being hot and flowing can re connect the circuit again when it flows and cools.
3. This makes it appear the problem is aleviated.
4. The next time high current is attempting to pass that same location it melts open again.
.
Lead connections at battery terminals are very prone to this as well as any other part of a circuit.
There is no mistery, just get in there, check and clean up all areas.
If you don't it will keep coming back to haunt you again.
Good luck.
What happens when there is an intermittent issue?
1. Heavy current draw can 'melt' metal at the poor high resistance connection areas and causes a complete open circuit.
2. That metal being hot and flowing can re connect the circuit again when it flows and cools.
3. This makes it appear the problem is aleviated.
4. The next time high current is attempting to pass that same location it melts open again.
.
Lead connections at battery terminals are very prone to this as well as any other part of a circuit.
There is no mistery, just get in there, check and clean up all areas.
If you don't it will keep coming back to haunt you again.
Good luck.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 12
Hi All,
I'm having some strange electrical issues and I've got no idea where to start fixing the problems.
Here is whats happening:
- Put the key into the ignition and turn to the "on" position, full power to everything no issues at this point
- Turn the key to the start position, get 1 click out of the starter and then lose all power to everything
- Turn the key off and back to "on" position, sometimes I get power at this point and sometimes the power stays dead for a while
- Check the battery, which is good (12.3 volts)
- At one point someone noticed some sparks coming from a connector near the back of the firewall on the passenger side (sits on top of a metal cover with a large positive terminal right behind it). I've disconnected this terminal, cleaned it and put on some dielectric grease all of which hasn't done anything.
- Basically I mess around with few things, check some connectors, let it sit for a few minutes and then it will start.
I have no idea where to even begin with this and I'm hoping for some help.
Thanks
Rob
I'm having some strange electrical issues and I've got no idea where to start fixing the problems.
Here is whats happening:
- Put the key into the ignition and turn to the "on" position, full power to everything no issues at this point
- Turn the key to the start position, get 1 click out of the starter and then lose all power to everything
- Turn the key off and back to "on" position, sometimes I get power at this point and sometimes the power stays dead for a while
- Check the battery, which is good (12.3 volts)
- At one point someone noticed some sparks coming from a connector near the back of the firewall on the passenger side (sits on top of a metal cover with a large positive terminal right behind it). I've disconnected this terminal, cleaned it and put on some dielectric grease all of which hasn't done anything.
- Basically I mess around with few things, check some connectors, let it sit for a few minutes and then it will start.
I have no idea where to even begin with this and I'm hoping for some help.
Thanks
Rob
As for the sparking, it sound like a short. Probably at the Starter Relay. I rerouted the cables when I built a new fuse block for simpler maintenance. Shorting pulls power away from everything as it is the path of least resistance.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
Have to disagree with your assessment, Travis. More likely than not, the sparks were the result of trying to pull 100-150 amps through a bad connection and it was arcing in that connection.
Voltage drop testing is still your best bet, but do fully charge the battery first. Trying to pull starting current from a semi-discharged battery is a good way to shorten its life.
Voltage drop testing is still your best bet, but do fully charge the battery first. Trying to pull starting current from a semi-discharged battery is a good way to shorten its life.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 12
Have to disagree with your assessment, Travis. More likely than not, the sparks were the result of trying to pull 100-150 amps through a bad connection and it was arcing in that connection.
Voltage drop testing is still your best bet, but do fully charge the battery first. Trying to pull starting current from a semi-discharged battery is a good way to shorten its life.
Voltage drop testing is still your best bet, but do fully charge the battery first. Trying to pull starting current from a semi-discharged battery is a good way to shorten its life.
When I redid mine, I eliminated one cable and moved the junction point to my DIY'ed fuse block. The eliminated cable was replaced with a 1/8" thick x 1" wide stainless steel jumper bar that links the battery side of both mega fuses at their studs, similar to stock. Result is one fewer connection and everything is stainless so corrosion won't happen. The block and link bar cost me under $15 to build and will last forever.
The remaining cable from the fuse block to the starter relay can be downsized from 4awg to 12awg as it only supplies power to the Starter's switch terminal. Even though it's not causing issues right now, I should do that sometime just so everything is fresh, clean and new.
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