I have been working on building a pickup so I can have it for winter and the trails. I just dropped a 22re in, been struggling to get everything squared away. I got the motor started today for the first time and then happend to stumble across this link https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...-guide-194413/. I relocated ground #1 in the thread to where it was supposed to be. I had it on the body originally. I was burning the ground from the alternator every time I turned the ignition so I figured I should put all the grounds back to their appropriate spot.

I go to turn the key and *poof* no electrical....anywhere. no lights, no dash, fuel pump, hazzards, radio, starter.... not a damn thing. I am stumped. please help!!

 

didn't knock the little wire on the positive battery cable that goes into the fuse box loose did you? Also check you fusible links in said panel.

 

I have power to those fuses. checked the box under the hood. But I cant turn a darn thing on.

When I turned the key and lost power, everything worked momentarily. Then abruptly stopped.

 

i think you have to pull (unbolt) the fusible link in order to check that, but I could be wrong.

 

the 80amp one? Its fine, has power to it also.

The truck is an 89 4x4 with the 22re in it, if that makes a difference

 

yup that would be the one.

 

well since that one is good, now Im even more lost. I was on such a good roll today, almost had all the bugs worked out. Just the grounds.... GAHH

 

could it be an ignition switch issue? would that cause total electrical loss? Im tryin to search up on it but not finding that answer.

 

doubt it since the lights and everything don't come on which does not require any key to be in nor position of the ign switch.

stupid question, but you DO have the neg battery cable hooked to the engine via the motor mount right?

 

not a stupid question. because I dont. It wasnt like that when I pulled the motor, so I didnt put it back that way. I guess thats a good starting point huh.

 

where is it connected now?

 

ATM its not. I started undoing all my grounds so I can go back 1 by 1 and inspect it. It was on the AC condenser bracket.

 

well without that connected then nothing in the truck will get power, all the other grounds are accessory grounds and depends on that 1 ground.

 

I had it on the fender first. Then when I found that guide that I linked in my first reply, I moved it to exactly how Ground #1 is in that guide. thats when everything crapped out.

 

well first thing tomorrow Ill go out there and remount it. So you say the motor mount is the best place to bolt it up?

 

i think that's where it's supposed to be, whether or not it works there I don't know, misunderstood you though, thought you said you didn't have it hooked up at all.

 

well I hope it does work there. everything worked until I moved it to that bracket on the block. after I get that fixed, I gotta figure out why the ground wire coming from the alternator harness keeps burning up.

 

hmmm shoulda been more clear, I know it works on the motor mount to the block cus that's where mine is at.

 

well thats where Im going to do it then. probably would have been easier when the motor was out, but Ill manage. Thanks for your help. Ill post back and update the situation tomorrow if it worked or not.

 

OK. problem solved. I got some 6ga wire and redid all the grounds on the truck. Everything works great now. Although im throwing a code 21 and 52, but that should be easy to fix. Thanks for your help!