Electrical nightmare

[scottsdale92]

Hello it's been a long time since I've posted anything.I have another 84 chevy k 10 with a huge electrical bug.Well start with the main issue, I'm showing about 8-10 volts on the gauge.My other issue is headlights are dim slow turn signals  radio cuts out blower motor stopped working.It is an electrical nightmare.Now parts wise new battery new alt.new leads clean grounds all that jazz.This trucks has me lost.I do apologize for not keeping up and posting often in the military hard to do.

[rich weyand]

Check the voltage to frame at the battery, then the starter positive post, then the junction block.  I think you have a break or intermittent connection somewhere between the battery and the gauge.  Perhaps a fusible link is gone or nearly so.

[Irish_Alley]

did you have this problem before the new parts or just after?

[scottsdale92]

It just started out of the blue one day. I did a new alternator with a new pig tail on it as well nothing then a new battery.After that talked to an older friend of mine he said run new leads for your battery and then clean and re - do your grounds.I did that and nothing

[bd]

Scottsdale92, elaborate on the ground connections that you serviced...

The factory grounds (and typical wire size) are:

• battery-to-engine (2-gauge)
  
  
• battery-to-right frame rail (12-gauge)
  
  
• battery-to-radiator support (12-gauge)
  
  
• cab-to-right rear cylinder head (10-gauge or 5/16" braided strap)
  
  
• dash appliances-to-cab sheetmetal next to park brake pedal assembly (18-gauge and 16-gauge)
  
  
• rear lamps-to-frame (16-gauge)

Inventory and verify all of the listed grounds.

As Rich suggested, check the fusible links and their connections at the starter and firewall junction block.  Do any of the links stretch with a gentle tug?  Is there any green, gray, or black discoloration or ashy accumulation at the terminations of the links?  Is the insulation distorted?

Do you have a voltmeter?

[scottsdale92]

Battery to engine new 2ga.       Engine to cab new strap  battery to radiator support is the grounds I serviced with new wiring connectors and all, yes I do have a voltmeter I have black and Grey discoloration at a fusible link under the hood and been like that since I've owned the truck.I knew nothing about the cab accessories at the fire wall or the frame rail ground for that matter.yes I have a multimeter I'm a diesel mechanic but suck with electrical period.I can swap components on trucks trouble shoot but can't do electrical at all.If all else fail I plan to restore the truck one of these days who has a great aftermarket harness that requires minimal effort as far as installation.?

[rich weyand]

If you can't fix one, don't try to install one.

What is the voltage across the battery terminals?

If the voltage at the gauge is significantly less, then you need to find out where the loss is.

You just start at the battery and follow the wiring to the dash.  So:
Battery
Starter positive post
Junction block on the firewall
BAT terminal on the fuse block
IGN terminal on the fuse block

Report those voltages, all measured against frame ground.

[scottsdale92]

Will do thank you I'll report back shortly

[scottsdale92]

Sorry it's taken some to get back holidays work just busy.I checked all my grounds and back to the battery I have 12-14 volts at all points.Found out my headlight grounds were bad, ran new ones in conjunction with the old brought my voltage back up and all lights are bright and working like a champ.As for my radio and blower motor, the radio has a bad power wire the blower motor switch went bad.Thank you very much for the tips and help it is greatly appreciated.