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Loss of power to truck

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doubt13
New User

Sep 22, 2005, 11:54 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1670 views)
post icon Loss of power to truck Sign In
I have a 88 Dodge Ram 50. When I turn the key to start the engine, all power is lost to my truck as if someone has discounted my battery. I had the battery checked out, and auto zone said it was in good shape, but it is 3 years old. I have clean the battery posts and terminals. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing the power loss? Thank you





Ivan


aforest13@yahoo.com


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 22, 2005, 3:14 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1665 views)
Re: Loss of power to truck Sign In
If this vehicle cranks ok it isn't the battery right now. I'd be looking for fuel pressure - just my 2 cents for now.



DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Sep 23, 2005, 4:21 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1660 views)
Re: Loss of power to truck Sign In
In Reply To
I have a 88 Dodge Ram 50. When I turn the key to start the engine, all power is lost to my truck as if someone has discounted my battery.
Sounds like you still have a bad connection or one of the main cables has gone bad. To the point that whatever is causing this is still a good enough connection to run all of the accessories.
But when you try and start the engine the extra draw from the starter is too much for it and it goes open.
I would start by cleaning the other end of the battery cables, where the ground attaches to the engine block and where the positive connects to the starter.
If after that and the problem is still there you could do what is called voltage drop test of the cables.
It’s a fairly easy test to do as long as you have some form of voltmeter.
Let say you’re going to test the positive cable. Connect the positive lead of the meter to battery positive and the negative lead to the other end of the positive cable at the starter. The voltmeter should read zero or very, very close to it, if not the cable is open.
If the reading is zero and with the meter still connected try starting the truck. You shouldn’t have anymore then .25 (1/4) of a volt showing on the meter with the ignition held in the start position. If you have more then that lets say 4 volts the cable or the connection is bad. You can do this for the negative cable as well and that same ¼ volt max applies to almost all-electrical circuits.

Canadian "EH"






(This post was edited by DanD on Sep 23, 2005, 4:25 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 23, 2005, 10:28 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1652 views)
Re: Loss of power to truck Sign In
My post was inaccurate. Dan's is right. I read way too many and goof up sometimes. You said discounted, which could be just a typo - but disconnected would be the better description. Sorry for any confusion, T






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