Potential Bad Ground

Hello everyone,

If this is in the wrong section let me know and I will create a thread in the appropriate section.

Here is the issue. The truck is acting funny, started it this morning, and it died after about 10 minutes. The truck would not start again right away. After 5 minutes, it started once more, and proceeded to die after 30 seconds.

Then I went home for lunch, and had a feeling the truck would start. It confirmed my feeling by starting.

To add to this, I had a similar problem about a month and a half ago, only on that occasion the truck did not start for a few days.

I thought it was fuel pump. Then I realized my windshield wipers were acting weird on and off. I would press the wiper fluid switch, and instead of getting wiper fluid and 5 or so wipes of the windshield, I would get no wiper fluid and about 10 wipes of the windshield before it would stop.

This has me thinking I may have a bad ground somewhere. Has anyone encountered something similar? Should I be prepared to dig up some wiring schematics and spend a day under the dash and in the Engine bay? Are there some circuits within our trucks that are known for going bad?

The truck is a 92 K2500 with 180,000 miles.

Thank you,

Daniel

Check the two ground wires that are attached to the bolt of the thermostat housing.

One ground is right below the heater hoses by your firewall it’s goes to your frame.

This can fool one big times.

Also check positive and negative battery cables for corrosion and all ground points in the engine bay.

89RCLB said:

Also check positive and negative battery cables for corrosion and all ground points in the engine bay.

Click to expand...

Don't overlook the two grounds on the frame (passenger side towards the rear of the firewall). One goes from the frame to the engine block. The other goes from the frame, to a bolt on the firewall (bottom of the AC evaporator case). Note: Don't just look at these - get a hold of them and give them a good shake. The connections are likely good. It will be the actual ground cable that rots and weakens.

Thanks for the locations everyone.

I know for sure the battery terminals are fine. I looked those over within the past two months. I'll look through all the grounds and see if I can find an issue. I have a feeling it may be one of the metal grounds going from frame to block/evaporator. Living through Alaska winters its entire life, I cannot imagine there is no wear on those.

Update.

Truck started up no problem this morning, and ran for a good half hour with no issues. Wipers are functioning properly and all the grounds seemed to check out. The only one that may be questionable is the one on the firewall for the ECU.

So hopefully I don't encounter this issue again in the future.

Texvet said:

Don't overlook the two grounds on the frame (passenger side towards the rear of the firewall). One goes from the frame to the engine block. The other goes from the frame, to a bolt on the firewall (bottom of the AC evaporator case). Note: Don't just look at these - get a hold of them and give them a good shake. The connections are likely good. It will be the actual ground cable that rots and weakens.

Click to expand...

Yep, corrosion will get you. My "battery to block" cable somehow corroded internally. It looked fine and was connected well, but the truck ran weird and my voltage gauge read lower than it should. I bought a new ground cable from autozone and it fixed both problems.

I am having this exact issue with the flasher "clicking" and the signal is NOT on. Some how this ground in my turn signal arm still exist today. My plan over the Christmas week break is to replace the arm. My thinking is the "off" or cancel position is worn out for the left signal. The previous owner company signaled for the left and just turned on the right. Just to tease an Alaskan, I read where you are near Anchorage, which actually has street and corners.

Additional Update:

The truck died last Thursday on the way to work. I have been trying my best to brainstorm what may go wrong, and I came up with Ignition Control Module as well, as symptoms are similar. Replaced it, and no go. So yesterday I dropped the tank and replaced the entire sending unit. Fortunately I had one on hand. I plan on buttoning everything back up tonight when I get home. I unfortunately broke one of the fuel strap studs so that will need replacing as well. The last thing I could think of would possibly be the alternator, but I personally doubt it.

Unkel Dale, yes we do have streets in Anchorage. Its the largest city in Alaska with approximately 400,000 people. But, its no fun to drop a fuel tank outside in 18 degrees when its dark at 3:30 p.m. Lol. It could be worse, a section of highway near Valdez (google if you are curious) had about 60" of snow in three days, with 15" coming in a 90 minute span.

Never gonna see me in Valdez, EVER. Nome was fun even in winter