No electrical? Turn the key and nothing happens?

Tiny
BCASALEGNO
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 5.8L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Sometimes you turn the key and nothing happens. The lights on the dash dim slightly, but the starter does nothing. If you keep turning the key on and off it will eventually start.
Wednesday, August 13th, 2014 AT 2:07 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

The battery needs to be checked to be sure it is good.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Then clean the battery cables real well. It sounds like you have bad connections at the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
PMONDOUX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,000 MILES
I have a chevy Tahoe and it is not getting any electrical power at all. The battery is fully charged. The truck was running fine I shut it off and then came back out and there is no power to anything. I checked the battery and I think all the fuses are ok but no luck in restoring power to the truck
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
There are fusable links that run off where the main battery positive cable connects to the starter. If one of these has blown you will no voltage to the fuse blocks.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMONDOUX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I found the problem it was a bad positive cable.

Thanks
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Glad to help.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STENZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
My Tahoe has a fairly new battery, however, I left it sitting for the winter to save gas. The battery died. It is fairly new (1.5 years old). I charged it after filling the battery with distilled water. The battery seems to have a good charge. However, when I tried to start it today it seemed to turn over, then simply and abruptly stopped. Now, I have absolutely no electrical power, the dash lights do not come on, nothing works. No electrical power at all. Did I blow a fuse or something? It has never done this. Each spring I charge it up and it starts right up. What is wrong please, if you know. (PS- the motor was overhauled a couple years ago and it is in great shape mechanically)
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

You will need to fully charge the battery and have a lode test done, this swill give you a true indication as to the condition of the battery, the hydrometer reading will give a charge reading, but not a complete indication of the plates and general condition of the battery, A hint. If the electrolyte looks dirty and not clean the battery is far from healthy.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STENZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I think I found the problem. I tested my battery; it is an 84 month Autolite and in good shape, putting out 13.9 volts after a 4 day 5 amp charge. I took the positive connector off of the battery and as I removed it my lights came on and off with the sparks. I put my battery charger on the the red main line and the car lit up like a Christmas tree. I got power Scotty. I have a dirty corroded positive main battery connector. I will be cleaning it or replacing it tomorrow. Really appreciate your input, it was that input that helped me check the battery and eliminate other issues to focus on the actual problem. I should have known that with the bad winter and 10 below temp's the lead and iron would be corroded from the freezing. First some battery cleaner, then some some fine filing, then some electode conduction paste and I should be good to go. Thanx again
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Saturday, June 5th, 2021 AT 2:53 PM (Merged)

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