Motor turns, everything else dead

[delfinomuro]

how you doing everybody. I've looked and looked and can't find an answer, so I came here although this isn't a b-body (I do own one though). Long story short, I have a 87 Dodge D150 that I've been working on to make a daily driver. Now the battery was low, motor would barely turn. So I put it to charge for a bit. I then set to 200 amps "start" so I can turn on the truck. It turned on. Now here's where I think I made my mistake. Note:everything was working fine before hand. I switch the gear to drive (while the charger is still connected to battery at 200amp) and I start to hit the gas a bit. I shut it off, then 30 seconds later I try to turn it on. Then come to realize my gauges don't work anymore (when they were just working 30 seconds ago) and none of my lights work neither, as if there's no power. Motor turns, but won't turn on. What could I have possibly burned out? Fuses are good, I replaced voltage regulater as well. Anything else I'm missing?

 

[1967coronet440]

Replace the battery, could have a dead cell

 

[65-440]

Agreed

 

[delfinomuro]

Replace the battery, could have a dead cell

Even though there's enough power to turn the Motor as if it wants to turn on?

 

[mikeyfrano]

There might be an in line fuse in the engine compartment. Had that happen before on a 87 chevy 30 yr ago

 

[1967coronet440]

Even though there's enough power to turn the Motor as if it wants to turn on?

Yes, still could be dead cell or cells. Alot of electrical problems are battery or ground related.

 

[67 coronet]

easy enough to get the battery tested. pull it and take it to any auto parts store. they should have a tester. if you have no power at all to lights and such i would see if someone moded the wiring and put in some sort of fusable link in line.

 

[PP1RT]

Get a test light and start following the power from the battery toward the firewall junction box then thru to under the dash and fuse panel.

 

[Kern Dog]

Hang on guys...The starter draws more power from anything else but some think that even though the engine spins over, you think that the battery is dead???

 

[drobertson]

I daily drive my 1982 D-350, and it has a wired-in fuse close to the battery. I blew it once, and nothing worked except for the starter.... just like you're explaining. But of course my truck's wiring harness was modified by the previous owner to remove all emissions equipment. Try looking for a fuse...

 

[Slap Stick]

Should have a fusible link. Its burned up.

 

[Glenwood]

Should have a fusible link. Its burned up.

Yep, probably the link is gone. Got to test the wiring to see where the voltage stops.

 

[delfinomuro]

Hang on guys...The starter draws more power from anything else but some think that even though the engine spins over, you think that the battery is dead???

EXACTLY!!!!!! But I'll give it a try with the battery.

 

[delfinomuro]

Ok guys so I don't see a fuse link in the engine compartment. Only a replay but seems to be distributing power.

 

[1967coronet]

Looks like a pair of fusible links right after the relay. this pic is a 87 Ram charger but should be pretty close to your D150

 

[threewood]

Looks like a pair of fusible links right after the relay. this pic is a 87 Ram charger but should be pretty close to your D150
View attachment 510918

That is a general picture of the MAD wiring modification.
There should be a fusible link going into the firewall bulkhead connector. Also, check yourfuse box for any blown fuses.

 

[delfinomuro]

Ok guys it's working now. I started following the wires and testing. After leaving the battery at a slow charge. Then heard sparking, come to realize it's the ground. Everything started to work, it was loose and bad. I re-wired it. Thank you all, lets see what happens lol.