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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: hullmark on June 12, 2016, 01:00:01 pm

Title: New tank and now no power
Post by: hullmark on June 12, 2016, 01:00:01 pm
Hi, new poster here. First Chevy truck, 85 c10 with a 305. Just replaced the fuel tank by the book and with tips from this site, and now I don't have any power. The dome light comes on but that's it. It's a pretty new battery and started easy before the tank swap.  Any help would be great.
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: Captain Swampy on June 12, 2016, 05:25:34 pm
Did you try jumper cables? or battery charger?
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: Irish_Alley on June 12, 2016, 05:40:14 pm
well the tank doesnt have anything to do with power or come close to any wires. check your wires to the battery and on the starter then check your fusable links on the firewall. do you have head lights?
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: VileZambonie on June 12, 2016, 06:05:25 pm
Hi, new poster here. First Chevy truck, 85 c10 with a 305. Just replaced the fuel tank by the book and with tips from this site, and now I don't have any power. The dome light comes on but that's it. It's a pretty new battery and started easy before the tank swap.  Any help would be great.

I would like to see a picture of that pretty battery. All the ones around here are pretty ugly.

Make sure you didn't pinch any wires and then check your fusible links.
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: hullmark on June 12, 2016, 06:06:58 pm
Headlights, horn, dome light all work. Tried jumping it, nothing.  Fuses all look good.  I'll check starter.  Thanks
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: hullmark on June 12, 2016, 08:13:41 pm
Starter has power, got to dark to chase wires. Did notice that the ignition turns without the key. I've only had the truck for a few days so I don't know if it did that before or not, nor do I know if it really matters.
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: 80Chevy4x4 on June 12, 2016, 08:31:03 pm
ok check the small wire going to the starter....make sure it has power when you turn the key to the crank position.
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: hatzie on June 13, 2016, 07:44:56 am
Probe the test points in the fuse panel with a test lamp or a meter set on at least 20VDC. 
I usually use the unpainted E-brake pedal bracket for my ground connection.  Most of the cab grounds terminate here...

BATT = Power from the fusible link on J-Block studs bolted to the firewall that feeds the Ignition switch and the LH side of the fuse panel.  If the 20A ATC IGN fuse is blown there will be no power on this point.
IGN = Power with the ignition switch in RUN.
ACC = Power with the ignition in RUN & ACC.
LPS = Power from the headlamp switch rheostat to the instrument lamps through the 5A ATC INST LPS fuse.  Only on with the parking or headlights switched on.
PWR = Power from the Fusible link on the Starter.


Click to enlarge picture.
(http://johnnynightstick.s3.amazonaws.com/IMAGES/1985_86_Fuse_Block.jpg)
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: Rattler12 on June 13, 2016, 08:03:56 am
I chased this same problem in mine awhile back. Had power everywhere and to the starter but dead silence when the start position engaged. Turned out it was internal in the starter. There is a spring clip on each side of the housing that holds the brushes against the armature. One was broken and the two brushes on that side weren't making good contact. Not sure why that would keep the solenoid from trying to engage but a new starter solved the problem
Title: Re: New tank and now no power
Post by: hullmark on June 17, 2016, 10:11:06 am
Holy cow.  Fusible link, then alternator was acting up, rebuild then alternator harness.  Finally got it straight. Thanks for the help.