Total electrical failure! Need help quick

[feets]

I was driving home in my '92 D250 diesel when I lost all power. No warning, no flashes. Nothing electrical works. Lucky for me, it's got a mechanical fuel pump and a diesel doesn't use spark!
Since it's rather dark and rainy, I called a buddy and had him follow me home.
When I turned the key off, the engine ran for another 10 seconds before the fuel shut off solenoid killed the pump. The seat belt warning light and under hood light had a faint glow just before I yanked the battery cable.
While under shelter waiting on my friend, I dug around and found no bad wires under the hood. No obviously blown fusible links.
I know the vehicle is supplied power through the alternator. That's where I want to start digging. Does all the power still route through the amp gauge on the dash?


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'92 D250 Club Cab "tweaked", '65 Plymouth Max Wedge clone twin turbo 440 4 speed, and high powered plinkers!
Too much power is just right!

 

[ETOBICOKE]

The gauge on the dash is only a volt meter, it will only tell you the charging voltage, no power goes through it. I would have a look at the alternator and wiring from the alternator to the battery first, I would suspect a bad diode in the alternator. Also check the battery it may have died suddenly, like from a cracked plate. Also check for shorted wiring, you could have a grounded out wire some place. If you need more help email me at the link below.

Neil #ad


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Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): bombedcummins@sympatico. ca

 

[Andy Morrison]

My '90 model had a history of eating a few voltage regulators . Might be a good place to start looking.

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'97 2500 4X4 club cab, BLACK, Leer XL-100,running boards , cup smoothie, EZ Drain, 103,000 miles

 

[Deezul1]

Ditto on the cables, remove from battery and clean real good. Sometimes the wierdest problems come from dirty connections and its a cheap easy place to start.
Good luck

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[feets]

Thanks for the info, here's a little more... .

Battery is 3 months old. Negative wire is 2 months old. Positive wire is 1 month old. Everything is clean and tidy under the hood.

I managed to get the brakes sorted out on the hot rod, so I'll drive it this week and diddle with the truck over the weekend.
Since I'm at work from 8-7 daily, I don't have much daylight or time to mess with it.

Keep the info coming if there's more to be had.

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'92 D250 Club Cab "tweaked", '65 Plymouth Max Wedge clone twin turbo 440 4 speed, and high powered plinkers!
Too much power is just right!

 

[Lil' Dog]

You may need to check the battery cables. I had to replace both ends going to the battery posts as they were rotted on the inside and appeared to work small amp draws but died as soon as you needed the heater or alot of lights. The main lead from the battery may need a little dressing as well.

J-eh

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Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs. 237,500 miles (380,000 Kms) 7850 Hrs.
Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics

 

[Lil' Dog]

Feets
Just talked with a buddy who isn't a member but has a similar truck. His crank trigger that goes to the computer died and shut down his charging system. Maybe the PCM is a trouble spot?? #ad


J-eh

 

[feets]

okie dokie...
Tonight I hooked up the battery and it fired right up. No muss, no fuss.
For some reason, that bothers me even more. I really don't like guessing games when it comes to something as important as my truck.

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'92 D250 Club Cab "tweaked", '65 Plymouth Max Wedge clone twin turbo 440 4 speed, and high powered plinkers!
Too much power is just right!

 

[Shrimpy]

Feets I know you said that the cables are new but make sure your ground at the frame end is making good contact. I have had two seperate incidents where to much muck has accumulated at or around this point and caused me headaches. Clean the place on the block and the cable then spray it with that gunk for battery terminals (red I think, not sure of the name). Just another idea!!!

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92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, PW injectors, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 230,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!