83 chevy truck dead what could it be.

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
I know you guys aren't going to know im just curious as to what all you would check.


I would check how much it costs to tow it to the junk yard..

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: ram_man
I know you guys aren't going to know im just curious as to what all you would check.


I would check how much it costs to tow it to the junk yard..


Really? You guys are just plain ridiculous . Sounds like this forum is being over run by trolls and [censored] disturbers.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: ram_man
I know you guys aren't going to know im just curious as to what all you would check.


I would check how much it costs to tow it to the junk yard..


Really? You guys are just plain ridiculous . Sounds like this forum is being over run by trolls and [censored] disturbers.


There's been some good advice in this thread, I'd just ignore the trolls personally. Overall the net of input has been positive.

I was kind of kind of curious about one thing. How does one adjust the timing by ear? Just see what produces the best/smoothest idle? Maybe you should let him borrow your timing light once you get the the truck running again.

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: ram_man
I know you guys aren't going to know im just curious as to what all you would check.


"Died" is so subjective that it's useless. You're right, I am not going to know...because there is no information on which to proceed...


Did you even read my post? I said there is no lights no radio no cranking it is basically an over grown rusty paper weight.


Of course I read your posts...completely...and they were next to pointless...

The first post had little information, and vernacular (dead) that was known only to you.

The second was condescending...presuming that, with little information, this forum would get it wrong....yep, you're right, if you provide insufficient information, it's likely that no one can figure it out...

So, when want help from a group, you start by providing insufficient information, followed up with condescension, bordering on insult.

I have to know, does this approach often work for you?

You ask a group for help by making it hard for them? Then insult them?

Look, the only fact that you have conveyed is that no electricity is getting to key systems.

My 12 year old, who has a clear grasp of logic, would say that there are only two possibilities:

1. there is no electricity available(the battery is dead, and your friend's assertion on the battery being new/good is a red herring).

2. there is a break in the path (bad ground, bad cables, etc...all of which have been discussed.)

But I didn't chose to diagnose, since you said that, "I know you guys aren't going to know"...when, actually, I might know...but you made it really hard to care if you solved this or not...so, if you would like to know how I would troubleshoot, I would:

1. Jump it to ensure that there is electricity from a known good source.

2. Check connections, to ensure that it can flow.

But if that's too hard...and you would rather choose to believe that the fault is in my reading comprehension...well...then, good luck with this thing...


Please tell me I am not hallucinating. When I read this, it was "Deja Vu" all over again! Certainly the 12 year old part was something which I had definitely read before.

By any chance, have you had used this reply before on somebody else in the past?

It is literally making me extremely nervous :-(

 

[Astro14]

Vikas -

I apologize for my posts in this thread.

I was rude to the OP, more than once, and I should not have been.

To the OP - I suspect that it's wiring/cables, but don't discount the possibility that the battery is dead. It's entirely possible that your friend's truck has a bad alternator (with no light) or a loose connection (causing a charging failure) that has caused the battery to be fully discharged.

Charge it, clean the terminals, check connections. Go from there.

And please accept my apology.

 

[JasonTL]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Really? You guys are just plain ridiculous . Sounds like this forum is being over run by trolls and [censored] disturbers.

Best thing to do if you think someone is trying to 'troll' you is to ignore them and reply to the people trying to help you. Trolls only live by what their fed, don't feed them and they die. That being said, the person who seemed to be trolling you may have actually wanted to help and there was miscommunication. If so then they will likely chime in when they see a point where they can help.

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Thank you for the great advice, I just didn't know if maybe there was a common culprit for this issue on these trucks.
Tomorrow will be the day we go through it.

To be a little more helpful. He told me today he was adjusting the distributor by ear and he shut it off to adjust and after the 3rd time no more power......

The reason i was so vague is I don't have a whole lot of info to go on.
I was told it was dead the lights didn't work and neither did anything else. I relayed the information on here and I guess a couple people go loopy when they aren't written a novel. Well I originally told you guys what I knew I could have done it in a few words or several hundred but does it honestly make a difference? Sorry to the few who misunderstood or took my words out of context . I wasn't trying to be unclear.

So, to confirm this, he did not have power the other day, but then today he had power while adjusting the distributor but then after the third time he had no power at all? I.e. intermittent power?
Also to confirm, 'no power at all' meaning no dome lights, no headlights, no annoying key beep, NOTHING that would indicate any power anywhere?

I had something akin to that on my 88 Burb. It usually started and ran fine, but occasionally it wouldn't have any power at all even if it had just been running. Jiggle the wires on the top of the engine would sometimes get it to start. Seeing as your friend was working on the distributor perhaps there is a loose wire responsible? Try jiggling the wires again.

My problem was ultimately fixed with an ignition switch which may be your problem, but again, can't know for sure until things are fully diagnosed(that is one thing I learned, don't go changing out parts until you're at least 95% sure that is the problem).

Also, more info is always better, but since you had hardly anything that's understandable. If you two worked on it today and are still having issues please post some of the things you tried and/or looked at. Something may be the key for someone here, never know!

 

[ram_man]

Well I popped the good shook my head and re did the wiring the wiring had been so rigged by a previous "mechanic it wasn't getting good connection anywhere. I re did everything almost and it runs now. Timed it for him correctly. And adjusted his poor out of wack carb. Runs pretty good for a wore out 305. Timing by ear is an art I've seen people do it and be spot on. I've done it before and been close. It's possible but it's a talent for sure.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Vikas -

I apologize for my posts in this thread.

I was rude to the OP, more than once, and I should not have been.

To the OP - I suspect that it's wiring/cables, but don't discount the possibility that the battery is dead. It's entirely possible that your friend's truck has a bad alternator (with no light) or a loose connection (causing a charging failure) that has caused the battery to be fully discharged.

Charge it, clean the terminals, check connections. Go from there.

And please accept my apology.



All good on my end!

 

[Chris142]

Your last post sounds like a dirty battery cable may be the culprit. Astro14 is on the right track as there are no "common" problems with these trucks regarding not starting. Something is preventing the flow of electrons and the most likely cause is a dirty cable connection considering that it was running just a few minutes before.

 

[Silverado12]

Glad you got it fixed. My guess would have been fusible link or bad cables/terminals haha.