Who would've thought...

[AeroNautical]

     ...that a simple $13 relay center could kill our trucks? I pulled up to a gas station yesterday, everythings fine, shut her off and fill her up. I see an IMMACULATE black and gold trimmed MJ pull up a few pumps away, so I hop in to go BS with him. Turn the key, hear the fuel pump, start it and every electrical system shuts off. 

     

     I try it again and now no power at all, no matter how many times I turn the key. Occasionally I'll get a light to turn on and the fuel pump to prime, but I go to crank and everything shuts off. 

     

     First thought was the battery cells. Luckily, advance was right down the road, and I was heading to the JY, so I had all my tools with me. Took the battery and tested it. Checked out perfect. Also tried jumping the starter with a wrench and a thick glove, saw a spark, but no spin. 

     

     Next thought was the ignition switch. I've heard if they go bad, everything fails. What scares me, though, is the headlights don't even turn on. You don't need a key to turn them on, but I HOPE they run through that switch. Otherwise, I've got bigger problems. Maybe a short?

 

     So that's my next project, installing this switch. If this doesn't work, though, what else could it be? I've heard of these failing before, but usually with a warning sign, like turn signals that don't work, or blower motors that don't turn on. Thoughts?

 

     Battery is 6 months old, starter is newer than that.  

 

Update 1: Ignition switch replaced with no change

 

Update 2: On the rare occurrence I get power to everything, instead of turning the key to start the engine, I jump the starter with a wrench. No go, and all power goes out again. That REALLY sounds like the starter is my issue here. Ways to troubleshoot? 

 

Update 3: Fixed. Turns out it was the ignition switch, but the push rod wasn't lined up perfectly. The old one failed, and the new one was intermittent. So, a new ignition switch and ignition relay came of it, and it runs buttery smooth. my volt meter in the dash stays at a constant 14 volts, even with all accessories on. Good things to replace after 26 years, even if they haven't failed.

[dasbulliwagen]

When mine did that it ended up being the battery cables. Check the ground cable between the battery and the engine block. They like to go bad and will cause issues like that. Let us know what you find.

[AeroNautical]

I just replaced the ignition switch, I had the key in to prevent the wheel from locking and as soon as I connected it I heard a fuel pump. Good news right? Other than forgetting to disconnect the battery, haha. Go to start it, same issue. Battery cable connections are new, grounds are refreshed. Maybe it's shorting in the starter? Could that cause it?

[Pete M]

autozone and the like will check your starter and battery for free.  anything can fail prematurely.

[mjben]

Fusible links? Under the relay cover?

[onlyinajeep726]

Fusible links? Under the relay cover?

 

This is my suggestion also.

 

On a side note, does this mean that we need to hold off on that engine swap since you can't drive it here at the moment?

[AeroNautical]

Battery and starter check out, starter relay is my next guess, what all runs through it?

 

Not just yet Shawn, this happened yesterday and I'm confident I can get it road worthy again within another day. If not, I'll let you know.