Friend's 96 C3500, wont start after battery change.

[GM Guy]

Hey all,

Buddy has a 96 C3500 6.5L 5spd 2wd (the clean one I want to buy )

he changed the LH battery, and said he admittedly did it wrong with a crecent wrench and arced the negative terminal when tightening the positive.

Now, the truck wont start, and all the fuses are good (verified with test light through top ports, no visual trickery)

So, what all did he cook? the ECM?

I told him for a hail mary to unplug the CTS in the crossover, and then the crank sensor.

He is 200 miles away from home, but luckily at a friends place and can get a ride back.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Will L.]

Fuseable link

 

[ak diesel driver]

Need more info. Will it turn over? Do glows cycle properly? Etc

 

[GM Guy]

glows cycle properly, cranks over fine. lift pump pumping.

 

[Will L.]

Crack injector nut and crank, looking for fuel.

 

[GM Guy]

with the key off, what all could he have burnt up? ECM? PMD would not have any juice to it with key off, correct?

He says its not getting fuel, IDK if he cracked a line loose or not to come to that conclusion, but he is a good sized farmer and a very good mechanic, so he should know.

He does not know proper battery maintenance though... allways replacing one at a time and having issues every couple of years.

 

[Will L.]

Fuel into the ip but none out- swap pmd first.

 

[tanman_2006]

I'd check the fusible link

 

[ak diesel driver]

Check if you have power to the 2 fuse centers

 

[GM Guy]

good news, he said he left it alone, and tried it again today and she fired up.

Must have "scrambled it brains" and it must have sorted itself out.

If his ECM dies in the next year I know what to blame....

I need to trade him out of that thing, it needs a pavement only home.

 

[Burning oil]

I bet if you just leave it alone for a little while then come back she'll fire right up.

 

[jrsavoie]

I'd check the fusible link

Which fusible link are you referring to?

 

[Dave01]

but he is a good sized farmer and a very good mechanic, so he should know.

Just because he's big doesn't mean he can troubleshoot diesels!

 

[GM Guy]

oh, he can troubleshoot everything but a 6.5L.

He has all flavors of Cat Cummins,Detroit, Minneapolis Moline, Allis, Oliver, etc. and a couple 7.3Ls, and he embraces the V-8. Got many happy and healthy 903 Cummins' turned up well past stock, and got two 70s KW long hoods with the big 3408 cat, both factory.

I dont think he cares too much for electronic engine controls though, likes the older stuff engine wise, but embraces technology, has some older tractors on fully hydraulically integrated GPS autosteer.