Post engine install short.

Danmoreland · Sep 3, 2022

Recently had to do a engine swap on my 89 c1500 stepside. Before the swap I had no major issues and honestly would've kept the motor except found a weld on the back holding on the ear on the block for the starter. After the swap the battery will just drain over night. Before the swap I had never had this issue before. I already checked the battery and it's good. Just seeing if anyone else has ran into this or knows a good place to start to find the short. I know wiring is very case by case , but I just wanted to know a good place to start. Thanks in advance

PlayingWithTBI · Sep 3, 2022

See if you didn't pinch any wires between engine and bell housing, engine and frame, where the hot wires go to the starter and the firewall where your distribution block is, etc.

Danmoreland · Sep 3, 2022

PlayingWithTBI said:
See if you didn't pinch any wires between engine and bell housing, engine and frame, where the hot wires go to the starter and the firewall where your distribution block is, etc.

I just checked the starter wires. Looks like it touched the header and melted a bit at some point. But it's not touching anything to arc out. Definitely a problem that I'm addressing but if that's not touching it shouldn't cause that right?

PlayingWithTBI · Sep 3, 2022

Danmoreland said:
Definitely a problem that I'm addressing but if that's not touching it shouldn't cause that right?

It's a possibility. Fix that and move on to the next one, if there is a next one.

Schurkey · Sep 4, 2022

Figure out how large (amperage) the battery drain is.

Most multimeters have an ammeter good for 10 amps. If your drain is under 10 amps, connect the ammeter, then start pulling fuses. If you pull a fuse and the drain stops...you've found the problem circuit. Trace the circuit, find the problem. RE-TEST to assure there's not more than one problem circuit.

If NONE of the fuses affect the drain, you'll have to start pulling fusible links, and the main output wire on the alternator.

Batteries can self-discharge through the conductive slime that builds up on the battery case. Clean the case.

Make a systematic plan of attack, you'll find the drain.

Danmoreland · Sep 20, 2022

Following up on the short. Fixed the starter wire and was still having issue. Long story short the hot wire to the battery wasn't making contact correctly so the alternator couldn't properly charge the battery. Thanks for the help everyone. This forum is constantly saving my butt with this truck.

Post engine install short.

Danmoreland

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PlayingWithTBI

2022 Truck of the Year

Danmoreland

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PlayingWithTBI

2022 Truck of the Year

Schurkey

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Danmoreland

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