No electrical power anywhere except battery?

Tiny
NHRED71
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.8L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I was in the process of changing the door actuator mode on the driver's side and had removed the radio, HVAC controls and the box they were contained in to try to get a better look. I ran out of time and patience to finish the repair and put everything back together. When I reinstalled the radio, I turned the key one position to make sure it was hooked up properly and everything was fine. After I finished putting everything back together, I tried to start the truck, and nothing happened. No solenoid click. Nada Zero power anywhere. No horn, no lights anywhere etc. When I checked the voltage at the battery, it read zero. Unusual since the truck has been running fine and was running just before. I disconnected the terminals at the battery and the battery read just under 12 volts. I am assuming that there is a bad relay, bad fuse and/or a chafed wire causing a short. Is there something obvious that I am missing that went bad?
Saturday, December 31st, 2022 AT 6:37 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi,

Do I understand correctly that when you checked the battery, it had 0V? Was that before or after work was done?

I'm looking at the power distribution schematic and a few different things would need to fail for you to lose everything.

Take a look at the attached pic and let me know about the battery. Also, I need to know if you have one or two batteries.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, December 31st, 2022 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
NHRED71
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
0 volts was after the work. I found it unusual that it read 0 volts until I disconnected the terminals and read 11.5 after. I only have one battery.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2023 AT 5:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi,

I agree. That is odd. So, if it read 0v and then 11.5v after disconnecting the terminals, my first question is where did you check for power when it was showing 0v?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, January 1st, 2023 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
NHRED71
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I checked voltage at the battery with cables connected and disconnected. I replaced the battery. Everything is fine now. I have never seen or heard of a battery going bad as this one did. Thank you for your responses.
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Monday, January 2nd, 2023 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to know it's fixed. It sounds like the battery shorted internally.

Regardless, feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, January 2nd, 2023 AT 4:21 PM

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