dash lights, gear selector light, radio lights on/off

[Low_five]

Weird problem just happened. I turn the truck on, (or just key on) and I will get all warning lights, ABS, security, brake, etc, then everything will cycle off.

gear selector light, radio backlight, (but not the heater lights, and odometer lights) all gauges will show full left (ie totally empty fuel, no volts from alternator, no oil press, etc.)

it just keeps cycling this over and over.


any ideas what might be going on? the truck was recently wrecked on the passenger side, but only sheet metal damage as far as I can tell, still drives straight, hood still opens and closes fine, etc.

[Low_five]

started it up this am and all is normal. Awesome. I love electrical gremlins.

[Tom S.]

This type of problem has been posted many many many times. Check the battery contacts for looseness and/or corrosion. If they check out OK, test the batteries.

[Low_five]

roger. will do. I honestly tried searching. as of now, I have no gauges or radio, abs is on, security light is on. Truck started twice and shut off immediately. I am going to replace both batteries as a maint item and report back.

[Low_five]

no luck. starts for 2 seconds and shuts off. no gauges or radio. going to check some fuses

[Low_five]

before anyone asks, it is stock, lbz, I know theres 3/4th tank, but I dipped it anyways and there is fuel there. fuel filter is fresh.

[Low_five]

now the gauge lights, and heater control lights stay on even with key off. will not shut off.

[Low_five]

*disconnected both batteries
*shorted one side hot to ground,
*connected everything back up tight.
*key on... radio had power.
*started truck, ran good.
*shut truck off,
*key on
*back to no light on the radio,
*started truck, only runs for 2 seconds then shuts off

[Tom S.]

The last point - about it starting and only running for two seconds sounds like an issue I had with an aftermarket remote starter/alarm system. It was caused by the passkey sensor going bad. A temporary work around was to leave the key in the on position for 10 minutes, then turn it off and start the vehicle.

On another note, you might try PM'ing heymccall as he has a lot of hands on experience with electrical problems.

[Low_five]

thanks for the lead. I dont have a remote start or any modifications at all, bone stock, I dont even have power locks or windows....BUT I did have that security lock light on the dash at one point. im going to try your first suggestion, then I will pm hemccall.