Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) truck wont hold a charge

[rckwlkr]

I am having a problem my trucks charging system it slowly drops (VOLTMETER) during the day and i have no tach or speedo or idiot lights. any suggestions??

Thank you

 

[FATCAT]

A chafed wire is grounding periodicly somewhere in the engine compartment.



I had the same thing with my snow blower/tractor this winter. I would charge up the battery, hit the ignition switch, get a few cranks ... then nothing. Found wires from switch to battery had the insulation rubbed off and was contacting the frame.



Replaced wires and all was good.

 

[BV]

no charge

Have you checked the Alternator output ?

How about the batteries and their connections ?

Wiring could be a problem.

Do the 97's have that big expensive fuse in the PDC (power distribution center) ?

 

[Strick-9]

Has your AC quit also?



What year is your truck?



The PCM doesn't turn on the A/C, tach, and other instrumentation until it receives the signal from the engine speed sensor on the front of the motor (engine running).



I had this problem before and it was a bad ground to the PCM. I spliced in a proper ground wire at the PCM and never had the problem again.



For others, it has been a bad engine speed sensor (mounted on harmonic balancer or front of engine) or wiring problems.



The first place to check is the wiring to the speed sensor. You will have three wires. One is a +5 volt source wire. One wire is a ground, and the other is the signal wire that pulses with engine RPM. Make sure you have a good 5 volt signal and a good ground first. That will most likely lead you to your problem.



-Chris

 

[rckwlkr]

When I turn on the key I have no GEN, check Engine, h2o in fuel, wait to start lights or speedo and tach the ac wont operate.

My truck is a 97 Where is the ground wire for the PCM i would like to splice in a better ground.

 

[Strick-9]

The ground wires to the PCM are Black with a tan stripe. 12 gauge, so they are bigger than most of the other wires.



Pins 31 & 32 on C1 connector (closest to engine).



I would recommend testing the wires first to see if they are grounded properly before hacking in another wire.



Check all your fuses first if you haven't already.



There's a light green wire with a black stripe on both outside connectors at the PCM (C1 and C3) Make sure you have 12 volts at these wires with the key in the run position, engine off.



-Chris