Problem with starting

[Matt Wettig]

Ok guys please tell me what is wrong. My buddy stuck the battery charger on my 85 square body. He hooked it up backwards and it run for about 5 minutes. When I stepped in the garage I smelled something electrical getting hot or burning. I quickly disconnected the charger. I still have power to the lights on the truck but when you try to start it there is nothing. Dome light comes on when I open the door too. Volt meter doesnt even jump on the dash when you turn the key. What did it burn up?

 

[Blue Ox]

Did you try charging the battery the right way?

 

[Matt Wettig]

Battery has charge. Lights coming on. Dome light comes on when I open the door.

 

[Dmack]

You can check the starter and solenoid by jumping the solenoid terminals (safety precautions followed). If it turns over, then it's the wiring going there. Maybe a fusible link?

 

[Charlie]

 

[Blue Ox]

It doesn't take much to light the dome light. Put a voltmeter on it and see what the potential is while it's unloaded. You should be seeing 12.4V +

 

[Matt Wettig]

Since none of the dash lights come on when I turn the key on I am guessing it is the fusable link as suggested. Now to figure out which one. Is it one of them at the starter, there are 2 there, or one somewhere else. Clock in truck is working. Headlights, dome light. It just appears all power is dead to the ignition.

 

[Blue Ox]

That sounds like a good place to start. Wiring diagram is here:

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/1973-1991-wiring-manuals.14498/

 

[Matt Wettig]

Ok when you jump the starter with a screw driver it turns over. Both of the fusible links that are down at the start are good. So where are there other fusible links located on the truck?

 

[Tank6x2]

Welcome, check under the dash to to ignition key switch, I believe there’s a fusible link there

 

[Matt Wettig]

I found the problem. Wire was burned into by the other fusible link that is located right behind the brake booster. Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

 

[TerColHan]

Check the ground wires between the battery and the chassis and engine to chassis too.
Especially the small wire from the negative cable to the body

 

[DBurns007]

Did you check the fusible link at the starter.. ?


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