Something I've never seen before

[Steve Gregory]

My truck is doing something wild, every so often, when I turn the key to the on position, it works like normal, when I start the engine, I could either put it in reverse or turn the heat on, and it turns the engine off. When it doesn't work normally there is nothing, no fuel pump, no radio, no dash lights, nothing. I checked the fuse box wiring harness, replaced some wires there, new ignition switch, starter relay and starter.

[Steve Gregory]

Oh, I forgot, 89, 4.0 5 speed, the clutch was leaking on the fuse box, but I took care of that already

[ftpiercecracker1]

First part has me stumped . . . for the moment. But the second part sounds like loose battery cables. Make sure the studs are super clean/shiny. Buy/make some good quality battery leads and make sure the clamps are tight/clean too.

[Gene]

Hi Steven,

 

When everything is dead, do the headlights work?

 

If they do not, the problem is before the ignition switch.

 

If they do, then the problem is after the ignition switch. I suspect that will be the case.

 

Also, when it goes dead, what do you do then? Does it immediately come back to life, do you have to wait for a while, or do you do something to help?

 

Let us know!

 

Gene

[Steve Gregory]

The headlights work the whole time, after it dies it doesn't become back for a while

[Steve Gregory]

I figured it out, the power wire going to the ignition switch was only getting 2.5 volts at the fuse box, so I ran a jumper wire with an inline fuse, bam working like normal