Gremlins in the eletrical

Delemorte · 03-09-2010, 06:18 PM

So, I killed a battery some time ago.. Then in the process of charging it I lost the starter. Starter was finally fixed but now she wont crank. Assumed crap battery so i just picked up a 27 series blue top Optima...

here is what she does...

when i first installed the new Optima battery i jumped the ground wire off the starter to a hot lead to see if she would turn over. (Success )

I then go up to the dash and insert key and move to AUX. power comes on in the dash (Success)

I then flip it over to start and i get one Click and the whole SOB dies and no more juice.. (Failure)

I then go back to the back and try to jump the ground wire off the starter to a hot lead and nada. (Failure)..

Since i could jump it before and now can not does that sound like a faulty ground?

replaceing the pos and neg cables and the ground is easy enough.. Just wanted an opinion before i started grasping at straws.

BigSteve · 03-09-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delemorte

So, I killed a battery some time ago.. Then in the process of charging it I lost the starter. Starter was finally fixed but now she wont crank. Assumed crap battery so i just picked up a 27 series blue top Optima...

here is what she does...

when i first installed the new Optima battery i jumped the ground wire off the starter to a hot lead to see if she would turn over. (Success )

I then go up to the dash and insert key and move to AUX. power comes on in the dash (Success)

I then flip it over to start and i get one Click and the whole SOB dies and no more juice.. (Failure)

I then go back to the back and try to jump the ground wire off the starter to a hot lead and nada. (Failure)..

Since i could jump it before and now can not does that sound like a faulty ground?

replaceing the pos and neg cables and the ground is easy enough.. Just wanted an opinion before i started grasping at straws.

I think you are mistaking by saying I jumped the Ground wire at the starter.What I think you mean is you applied power to the solenoid direct on a gm car/truck its purple 14 gauge wire. What I would try is cleaning all Battery cable connection points positive and negative with sand paper or a scotch brite pad, then re torque connections and re test it sounds like you have voltage but no current flow due to high resistance at a connection point. good luck

jetboatperformance · 03-09-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delemorte

I then go up to the dash and insert key and move to AUX. power comes on in the dash (Success)

I then flip it over to start and i get one Click and the whole SOB dies and no more juice.. (Failure)

High resistance, dirty or corroded terminals and or ends sounds like your on the right track , does this system run a "helper" solenoid? , doesn't take much to tick the guages, but a solid 12v signal to bump the solenoid Pictures?

Sold honda.bought hondo · 03-09-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetboatperformance

High resistance, dirty or corroded terminals and or ends sounds like your on the right track , does this system run a "helper" solenoid? , doesn't take much to tick the guages, but a solid 12v signal to bump the solenoid Pictures?

X2 if everything takes a dump when you try to crank it's probably a bat cable..maybe try a set of jumper cables and by-pass the battery cables....

X2 on that helper solenoid...i run a motorcycle starter solenoid mounted at the starter....takes very little current to trigger it...i.e. 40 FEET of 20 gauge wire will kick it

BigSteve · 03-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sold honda.bought hondo

X2 if everything takes a dump when you try to crank it's probably a bat cable..maybe try a set of jumper cables and by-pass the battery cables....

X2 on that helper solenoid...i run a motorcycle starter solenoid mounted at the starter....takes very little current to trigger it...i.e. 40 FEET of 20 gauge wire will kick it

I agree with adding a helper solenoid, all big rig trucks use them. It also helps to limit back emf voltage spikes to electronic componets i,e MSD

Delemorte · 03-10-2010, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSteve

I think you are mistaking by saying I jumped the Ground wire at the starter.What I think you mean is you applied power to the solenoid direct on a gm car/truck its purple 14 gauge wire. What I would try is cleaning all Battery cable connection points positive and negative with sand paper or a scotch brite pad, then re torque connections and re test it sounds like you have voltage but no current flow due to high resistance at a connection point. good luck

you are 100% correct.. by the time i realized i misstyped i was already in bed and said to hell with it :-) Ill try all the suggestions. thanks!!

Moneypit · 03-10-2010, 05:10 AM

Are you trying to ground the battery to the block with a nice coat of paint on the block? Although pretty, paint is a lousy conductor and it is a common mistake. Nice shiny metal under the ground lead.......Also, the key switch CAN wear out and the "start" position fails to trigger the solenoid through 14/16 ga wire. You might consider a heavy duty starter button and some heavier wire, 12ga, into, and out of, the button to the solenoid...........Ray

Delemorte · 03-10-2010, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneypit

Are you trying to ground the battery to the block with a nice coat of paint on the block? Although pretty, paint is a lousy conductor and it is a common mistake. Nice shiny metal under the ground lead.......Also, the key switch CAN wear out and the "start" position fails to trigger the solenoid through 14/16 ga wire. You might consider a heavy duty starter button and some heavier wire, 12ga, into, and out of, the button to the solenoid...........Ray

You know what.. I did just repaint that bellhousing and i know i did not remove the paint underneath that ground...

Its allways the simple stuff that trips me up..

Thanks guys !!!

Delemorte · 03-10-2010, 02:56 PM

I cleaned the ground and nada.. I cleaned the pos and neg batt/cable terminals and it sprung to life.. amazing what a little bit of corrosion can do to stop electricity.

lefty's pride · 03-10-2010, 08:01 PM

so all better now then?

Delemorte · 03-11-2010, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty's pride

so all better now then?

Yea man.. my eletrical problem is no more.. For now

03-10-2010, 05:10 AM	#7
Moneypit Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Newbury Park, Ca/Bullhead City Az Posts: 4,293	Pretty paint? Are you trying to ground the battery to the block with a nice coat of paint on the block? Although pretty, paint is a lousy conductor and it is a common mistake. Nice shiny metal under the ground lead.......Also, the key switch CAN wear out and the "start" position fails to trigger the solenoid through 14/16 ga wire. You might consider a heavy duty starter button and some heavier wire, 12ga, into, and out of, the button to the solenoid...........Ray __________________ ZERO tolerance for illegal entry......ZERO chance for amnesty, ever...... LOUD BOATS SAVE LIVES Driving a slow boat fast, is a lot more fun than driving a fast boat slow.......

03-10-2010, 08:01 PM	#10
lefty's pride Horsepower sells Engines Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Langley, B.C. Canada Posts: 370	so all better now then? __________________ "Horsepower sells Engines but torque wins races." "winners never quit, quitters never win those who never win and never quit are idiots" "if at first you don't succeed redefine success" "why is there never time to do it right, but there is aways time to do it twice"

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