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no power to dashboard and no starter

matuva

Tropical 6.5er
Messages
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Location
New Caledonia. An island in south west pacific, cl
Hi Guys (and girls )

I need your help: I have to fight with electrical gremlins, what I really hate to do...

It does happen on a 1994 K1500: the guy was cruising. He just brake, and the truck stalled.

Till that, there's no more light at the cluster, no gaude, no power to starter, not even a single click.

We have power at the courtesy lamp, radio, headlights. All fuses are OK.

Anybody have an idea? It seems that there's no power coming to the ignition starter switch.

Anybody has the wiring diagram for tis truck?

Thanks in advance.
 
The links are inline in the harness usually on hot wires direct from the battery and alternator. The 94s have a bus bar under a T shaped cover. Check the harness leading into and out of that bus bar. Should be some around there. Usually are light blue/ green color leading up to a white round cylinder. In my experience when they do go the light blue/ green portion gets really soft and mushy. Sometimes you can see black on the wire or the link. Should be easy to spot and check. Good luck.
 
This happened to me several years back. It was the fusible link at the bus bar. I replaced with one of those large marine style fuse holders and put a 40 amp fuse in it. No problems (with that part of the truck :) )since.

Never did figure what fried it in the first place. Was just trying to start up and smoke billowed from under hood
 
The fuse link on the power wire to ignition switch was shot. I replaced it.

Now, power is back again to the ignition switchn but still no light to the dashboard, and as soon as we key ON, the link starts to smoke and is going to melt. No cranking, just keying ON.

I believe there's a short at or after the ignition switch I have to find & fix, but I don't understand why there's no light at the dashboard...

BTW, how is actuated the ignition switch on a 1994 truck? Because, as it ais a switch, I believe it has to be actuated... It's not enough and so simple to just replace it...
I see it is on the top of the steering column - and i believe it's a true PITA to change it -...
 
Because it all happened when he hit the brake, and the wiring for the ignition switch comes down in that area, I would spend 5 minutes or so looking under the dash / steering column area for damaged wiring and connectors, sometimes you get lucky.
 
Doe this truck have a diesel? I agree with Will L. Check under the dash around the steering column. Disconnect the brake switch also see if everything is restored, if so check you wiring going to your brake lights. Could have a rub through and also if it has a trailer light package on it, check there. They like to corrode and sometimes short the system out.
 
How does the starter switch work? Is it actuated when you key ON? I have put a new one, just umplugged the connectors on the old one and replugged thelm on the new one hanging there, still nothing.. not even the short....


should have some sort of metal rod going down the column to activate the electrical part you plugged in
 
Quick directions:

1. remove plastic dash cover.
2. loosen bolts holding column to firewall.
3. Remove 4 bolts holding bracket to dash support.
4. Lower column and rest it on the seat.
5. Unplug switch.
6. remove switch.
7. install new switch while paying attention to the ajustment and instructions in the box.

If you need a switch I can get one and throw it in the box Im mailing to you??
 
The fuse link on the power wire to ignition switch was shot. I replaced it.

Now, power is back again to the ignition switchn but still no light to the dashboard, and as soon as we key ON, the link starts to smoke and is going to melt. No cranking, just keying ON.

Any chance the trucked was actually wired for towing with a brake controller and / or hot lead going to the trailer plug?
 
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