Truck Randomly loses all power and dies.

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df2x4

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Take a good look at your terminal bolts next time you have them out. I had an issue with my red truck where the threads on the positive bolt were just barely stripped and I couldn't get it to tighten up properly. New bolt, tightened up like new. I was worried I might have stripped the terminal itself but luckily the Odyssey batteries I use have super tough side terminals. Good thing, I once stripped an ATV drain plug out with a 3/8" drive ratchet... I should probably use a torque wrench on everything I touch...
 

RichLo

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Yes, that's factory.

It is? I've never seen a doubled up battery cable setup like that before. Just one big one going to the starter and one smaller one going to the Alternator with the junction box wire coming from the starter solenoid.
 

Jared Jackson

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It is? I've never seen a doubled up battery cable setup like that before. Just one big one going to the starter and one smaller one going to the Alternator with the junction box wire coming from the starter solenoid.

My GMT800's and 900's had junction boxes, which kept only 1 cable at the positive terminal, If I remember correctly. I liked that setup! I am not a fan of the doubled up connection on this truck though...
 

df2x4

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It is? I've never seen a doubled up battery cable setup like that before. Just one big one going to the starter and one smaller one going to the Alternator with the junction box wire coming from the starter solenoid.

Yup, that's factory. My '97 K1500 Suburban is the same way on the positive side.
 

JackE

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Might need to find a way to replace that spacer to secure the connection better
I have had 3 of these GMT400's and all of them were set up like this. 5.7 & 7.4. I don't like the lead spacer between the terminal ends either. I always cut the red crap off the terminal ends, use a 1 1/2" 3/8 bolt. Thread a nut all the way onto the bolt, run it through whatever is needing connection to the respective terminal, then you can get the bolt tightened down snug in the terminal. Then thread the nut into the terminal until it is sufficiently tight. I have never had any issues when doing it this way.
 

454cid

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Sorry, I didn't get out to the garage to dig around my shelf, or take a picture.

I bought something like this:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...per-start-battery-bolt-extender/01391/4742204

The main cable is held on directly to the battery and then the second connector I have attached on the outside without the red insulator. It's made for adding more electrical stuff, but I don't have any extras. It gives more to connect jumper cables to, if I need to use them.
 

Jared Jackson

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Here's mine from both sides.
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Ok, that make sense now! So, you just removed the plastic protector from the ring terminal and threaded it onto that battery terminal "extender." Next time I am in town, I will grab one and see if I can add that to my to-do list.
 

454cid

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Ok, that make sense now! So, you just removed the plastic protector from the ring terminal and threaded it onto that battery terminal "extender." Next time I am in town, I will grab one and see if I can add that to my to-do list.

It looks like I had to actually cut the red rubber off the outside cable. I thought it pulled off, but that's the one that is directly on the battery. It looks like I might have a washer under the nut, too. I've been running this for several years now.

That nut is starting to corrode, so maybe I'll clean that up before winter and hit it with some terminal protector stuff, if I still have some. I think I have the none greasy kind.

The negative side on my battery is completely OEM...original cable, and possibly original bolt.
 
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