Tues. as I pulled up to a stop light I noticed some smoke coming out from the hood, when I looked at the gauges to see if I was overheating they all dropped to zero about 2-3 sec later the engine died and wouldn't restart, I tried several times.
I pushed it out of the road popped the hood and had 2 fires one on the battery ground the cable that bonds the fender was burnt in two. The other @ the cab the bond wire there had burnt in two and caught the wire harness on fire (no damage to wires just the wrap).

Machanic had a hell of a time gettin the new battery ground and is still waiting on the bond wire at the cab and hood. It was now driveable so I drove it home. This morning I noticed the gauge lites flickering, saw the gauges fall to zero, 2-3 sec later engine stalled. I didn't bother trying to restart just looked for place to park. No smoke or fire this time.

I posted this in another place a couple wks ago.

They put the new ground on and all seemed to be well. Went on a 5-1/2 hr trip and the last hour the lights started dimming again radio lite flickering.
No problem on the trip back home.

It does it worst when hitting a bump in the road or pavement change but it won't always do it

Since then dash lights flicker occasionally, Yesterday it was particularly bad all gauges would go out, a/c went out, radio out, engine still running. Did this 2-3 times and then all went out for the 3rd time now, burnt up only one of the bonds this time. Ironically when this stuff would blink out I still had the memory on the radio. Mechanic is having a difficult time with this intermittent problem.

Has anyone else had this problem or have any idea?

No work has been done on the truck recently and all has been well.
Anyone else experienced this?
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I have no idea, but I just wanted to comment on how that sucks, but at least the whole truck didnt burn down.

 

Have you or he , cleaned all the terminal 's & ground contacts ..sounds like a very bad ground somehere to me ...

 

Wow Wierd.

First i would ask here first.
Then
If it was me. I think i would pull alternator and batteries. Get them both tested. Run through the entire engine compartment checking for loose connections.Checking every plug that i can get my hands onto. From head lights to sensors to tail lights to tow package and plugs.Fuses, relays.Both heater relays are not activated all the time Then i would go under dash and check every connection under there as well.Fuses,relays. .

Not sure what to think. Some of the above are doubtful but would probably check anyways. Something has to be shorted out somewhere or not grounded properly. Be careful, don't want you to burn to the ground. I am glad you did not.

Please keep us posted.

 

Make absolutely sure that there's a good, heavy-gauge ground wire between the engine block and the frame rail, and the connections are clean and tight..

Pop

 

I think checking the alternator is a good idea, along with any other grounds you can find on the truck, including by the fuse box. I'd also make a habit of feeling your battery cables every time you drive it until you figure out what caused this in the first place.

 

I had a chevy truck quite a few years back that previous owner had replaced the hot wire to battery with a general replacement that was too long. Every time I would drive it worked fine for the first 10-15 minutes then all gauges would start jumping all over and power loss. Turns out the positive cable was laying up against exhaust manifold and would start shorting out . This might be something to check.

 

I would for a frayed or wire rubbing somewhere. Sounds like You have a hot wire shorting out to ground somewhere. Maybe not, but something to check. please keep us posted on what You find.

 

I remember reading a post while doing a search a while back. Somebody suggested that the Positive Battery Cable running between the batteries was a candidate to wear and short. The area they mentioned was around the radiator and places where it passes through panels and supports. That might be a good place to check. Good luck and I hope you figure out what's happening. I'd park away from the house till I found it !!!!!

Bob

 

My first thought was the alternator. Sounds like its overcharging.

 

I thought hot wire grounding. Essentially a huge short. Just my $.02

 

It's most likely a battery cable. Check every inch of the positive cables. Between the batteries, from the alt. , to the starter. I remember on the '99 or '00 they had a problem with the positive cable contacting the a/c compressor pulley and grounding out. If it's melting ground straps, it is a large wire carring a ton of current with the problem.

good luck,

Austin

 

The mechanic called me yesterday morn. and said they finally found it. I had installed a 3000W inverter about 5yrs ago with wire heavier than the batt. cables (because I had it) Even though I had zip tied apperantly it got against the manifold and burnt thru.

I knew it had to be something big but didn't even consider that or the batt cables as you guys mentioned.

I wish I'd have posted here the 1st time, ya'll woulda had me thinkin about and this episode might of been done 2weeks ago.

Thanks for the help!

 

I'm just glad you found it before you burned your truck up or fried the PCM or other wallet busting parts.

Austin

 

Thanks,
You and I both! Although I had begun to think upgrade I just really didn't want to spend the money.