No electrical power - everything is dead?

This guide can help us fix it

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

Roy

This guide can help you fix it it sounds like a bad battery cable or connection.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

Good morning,

The first thing I would check is the battery. Make sure they have 12.6 volts in each battery. If not, then charge them up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

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

Check the charging system as well. It should be 14 to 14.5 volts running. If you do not have that, the alternator may be the issue.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

I also attached a wiring diagram of the alternator as well for you to view.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Roy

REMOVAL

Warning: disconnect both negative cables from both battery before removing battery output wire (b+ wire) from generator. Failure to do so can result in injury or damage to electrical system.

1. Disconnect both negative battery cables at both batteries.
2. Remove generator drive belt.
3. Unsnap plastic insulator cap from B+ output terminal.

Fig. 7 Diesel Generator Connectors
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4. Remove B+ terminal mounting nut at rear of generator. Disconnect terminal from generator.
5. Disconnect field wire connector at rear of generator by pushing on connector tab.

Fig. 6 5.9L Diesel Generator
imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

6. Remove upper mounting bracket bolt.
7. Remove lower mounting bracket bolt and nut.
8. Remove generator from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Position generator to upper and lower mounting brackets and install upper bolt and lower bolt / nut.
2. Tighten all bolts / nut to 41 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
3. Snap field wire connector into rear of generator.
4. Install B+ terminal eyelet to generator output stud. Tighten mounting nut to 12 Nm (108 in. lbs.) torque.

CAUTION: Never force a belt over a pulley rim using a screwdriver. The synthetic fiber of the belt can be damaged.

CAUTION: When installing a serpentine accessory drive belt, the belt MUST be routed correctly. The water pump will be rotating in the wrong direction if the belt is installed incorrectly, causing the engine to overheat.

5. Install generator drive belt.
6. Install both negative battery cables to both batteries.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

Hi Justin,

To answer your question, yes. There is a way that you can use your own fuse panel and just give it it's own power source and this should limit any issues that you experience in the OEM part of the truck. Unfortunately, these vehicles have modules and other components that are very sensitive to voltage swings. So when you use fuse taps or splice into communication or power wires, it really makes the truck not happy.

These modules communicate over what is called a BUS network. It uses voltage signals to send and receive messages and each module needs these messages to operate properly. When a "foreign" module is introduced or you tap into a modules power source, it interrupts this messaging and causes the modules to not operate properly. So it does not sound odd that when you unplugged the radio that it started operating again.

Sounds good. Thanks Justin. Come back and post other questions if you run into other issues. We are happy to help.

The wiring is the same on both engines. I'm including a picture as it could be a fuse or relay in the power distribution center on the lh fender well. The diagram will show what I mean. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

First, make sure the battery terminals are both clean and tight. Make sure there is a good ground to the engine block. Make sure the power supply to the power distribution box isn't damaged. Here is are two guides to help us find the problem with diagrams below on the fuses that need to be checked.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Test through the ignition switch as well

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Welcome back:
A spark isn't uncommon because it isn't a good connection. If you ran power to the solenoid wire and the starter didn't engage, confirm 12 volts to the larger wire on the starter from the battery. If it has 12 volts and the starter did nothing when you ran 12 volts to the smaller wire, then the starter is bad.

Here is a link that shows how to check a starter:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Let me know the results.

Joe