Electrical issues after "Big 7" battery cable and ground upgrade

[EUREKA]

I did the big 7 upgrade yesterday. Truck was running great all day today, no issues. Then I went to drive home from hunting at dusk and I had no headlights, gauge lights, b-pillar lights, or radio. I know that the b-pillar lights and radio had been working just fine all day. Heater blower motor worked and the truck ran fine, but I had to drive home in darkness.

 

I suspect something that was on the edge finally gave out now that my voltages are higher. I know that the dash light dimmer function of my headlight switch has not work correctly for years.

 

Any ideas what I should begin looking at in the morning?

 

 

[EUREKA]

Probably should have installed headlight harness upgrade along with the Big 7. I bet I melted the headlight switch.

[Pete M]

yeah, I would start with inspecting that switch and its plug.  

[EUREKA]

If I replace the switch before upgrading the headlight harness, how much risk am I taking that I will burn out the new switch?

 

I can buy the switch in town today and get back on the road, but he headlight harness I had to order online.

[EUREKA]

Replaced the headlight switch, did not fix the issue. No sign of damage on the wires going to the switch.

 

Is the power supplied to the headlight switch fused?

[eaglescout526]

Did you check all your fuses? Perhaps something got just enough voltage to blow a fuse before any other damage could occur. 

[EUREKA]

Found the problem. I neglected to reinstall one of the ring terminals on the power distribution thingy.

That means my radio could not have been working earlier in the day and I was just listening via my phone (sometimes I'm too lazy to connect to the deck via BT)

 

Embarrassing.  

 

Thanks for the help!

[Pete M]

Happens to the best of us