Electrical short?

[Marcus2000monster]

When I hit my brakes hard all my lights and radio and everything went out and came back as soon as I let off the pedal. Does this mean electriacal short?

[Me78569]

yes

[Mopar1973Man]

7 minutes ago, Marcus2000monster said:

When I hit my brakes hard all my lights and radio and everything went out and came back as soon as I let off the pedal. Does this mean electriacal short?

 

Actually, if they went out and stayed out I would say its an electrical short because it would have blown the fuse because something indeed touched ground and shorted out. Now isn you case it when off during a hard braking event and the return tells me there is a OPEN circuit or loose connection without a complete power loss. So this would end up on the ground side most likely being a open circuit could break and connect without blowning a fuse. Being is cab related I would say driver side kick panel ground or center of the dash ground. But I'm betting on driverside kick panel ground being that is common for rust and corrosion issues.

[Marcus2000monster]

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Actually, if they went out and stayed out I would say its an electrical short because it would have blown the fuse because something indeed touched ground and shorted out. Now isn you case it when off during a hard braking event and the return tells me there is a OPEN circuit or loose connection without a complete power loss. So this would end up on the ground side most likely being a open circuit could break and connect without blowning a fuse. Being is cab related I would say driver side kick panel ground or center of the dash ground. But I'm betting on driverside kick panel ground being that is common for rust and corrosion issues.

So best bet is to check dash panel and kick panel grounds? Like you said they are going out and coming right back when I let off the brake. 

Could his also cuase harder starts?

[Mopar1973Man]

2 hours ago, Marcus2000monster said:

Could his also cuase harder starts?

 

Most likely not. I'm going to assume that is a totally different issue. ECM, PCM, and VP44 grounds are the passenger side battery terminal. Lift pump ground is on the driver side of the engine block behind the starter.

[Marcus2000monster]

2 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Most likely not. I'm going to assume that is a totally different issue. ECM, PCM, and VP44 grounds are the passenger side battery terminal. Lift pump ground is on the driver side of the engine block behind the starter.

Could AC noise cuase it too crank longer? I’m going to test the alternator tonight 

[Mopar1973Man]

Just now, Marcus2000monster said:

Could AC noise cuase it too crank longer?

 

No. Not directly. During cranking there is no AC noise generated. I'm pretty sure the PCM disables the alternator during cranking. As for AC noise having effect on starting performance, it's possible that it could damage the VP44 and create issues but that guessing and speculation at this point. Typically hard starting is caused by air leak or loss of prime. I would start there.

[Marcus2000monster]

20 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

No. Not directly. During cranking there is no AC noise generated. I'm pretty sure the PCM disables the alternator during cranking. As for AC noise having effect on starting performance, it's possible that it could damage the VP44 and create issues but that guessing and speculation at this point. Typically hard starting is caused by air leak or loss of prime. I would start there.

Right now I’m guessing that my hard starting issue is fuel related. What do you think? 

[Mopar1973Man]

Good place to start. I would monitor fuel pressure during these hard starts and see if the gauge drops out. If so that is an air bubble coming through. 

[dripley]

Is your starter up to par? Does it seem to spin slower than in the past? If it is spinning the engine good and taking longer, fuel is a good place to start. Mine has been starting slower but my stater was also spinning slower. Almost did not start this morning. Had new one by my chair and stuck it on today. 

[Mopar1973Man]

Last winter I replaced my starter knowing my problem is the brushes are shot. I went with a NEW NAPA starter and but trouble free for a solid year now and still starting strong and fast even with the winter cold down to -35*F last winter and this winter at -10*F so far. 

[dripley]

Rock auto Remy starter 120 bucks. Parts houses around here want 190 bucks for the same starter. The last Remy lasted 6+ years.  Ordered it on Thursday before Xmas and it got here on Saturday. Cant believe that with Xmas and all. Sure was nice hearing it bust off as soon as you hit the key.

[Marcus2000monster]

Having trouble finding grounds. Is this the kick panel ground? Where is the dash ground? 

I also found his wire unplugged. But I don’t see anywhere it is supposed to be plugged in.

[Mopar1973Man]

This should help you.

[Marcus2000monster]

That does help some but I’m still not sure if the pic I sent is the ground? 

[Mopar1973Man]

Yes, that was the left kick panel ground. I just needed to see the wire colors and knew that was it. The center of the dash is a pain in the  to even see. You'll need to pull the knee bolster down on the driver side and look towards the center of the dash. It should be a cluster like what you seen of black and tan wires.

[Marcus2000monster]

11 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Yes, that was the left kick panel ground. I just needed to see the wire colors and knew that was it. The center of the dash is a pain in the  to even see. You'll need to pull the knee bolster down on the driver side and look towards the center of the dash. It should be a cluster like what you seen of black and tan wires.

Ok the kick panel has absolutely zero corrosion and if I’m seeing he right thing there is none on the other ground. 

About the unplugged wire do you know what is it? 

[Mopar1973Man]

I'm scratching my head now. 

10 hours ago, Marcus2000monster said:

When I hit my brakes hard all my lights and radio and everything went out and came back as soon as I let off the pedal. Does this mean electriacal short?

 

Headlights are on their own circuit fused out at the PDC. Radio is after the ignition switch side fused inside the cab. This is what is puzzling because power supply to the lights and radio are to totally different circuits. Now the ground sides are shared and are all in common with each other. 

 

11 minutes ago, Marcus2000monster said:

About the unplugged wire do you know what is it? 

 

I need to see wire colors. Hard to tell.

[Marcus2000monster]

4 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I'm scratching my head now. 

 

Headlights are on their own circuit fused out at the PDC. Radio is after the ignition switch side fused inside the cab. This is what is puzzling because power supply to the lights and radio are to totally different circuits. Now the ground sides are shared and are all in common with each other. 

 

 

I need to see wire colors. Hard to tell.

Hmm I am stumped too. I am cleaning terminals and ends on batterys and cables very well and tightening hem down well and we will see what that does. I did notice that the battery tie downs and one terminal were pretty loose. 

I will then take it out and hit the brakes good and see what happens.... 

[Marcus2000monster]

Well I cleaned everything good and tightened everything down good and took it for a ride and the problem is gone! We have ice on the roads so I locked the brakes completely up. Also she started much better. It does still sound a little rough at idle but obviously that is part of my other issue... Thanks again for the help!!