h8shane

Last week I removed the instrument cluster to install some guages that I got on ebay that just go over the factory guages. when i put everything back together my truck wouldn't start. It would turn over just not start. It was acting like the fuel pump crapped out but i could hear it coming on. I checked for spark and it wasn't getting fire. The small wire on the starter going to the silonoid was melted a little and very close to the manifold, so it had obviously gotton hot. This all happened last Thursday. So friday I left work early to try and figure this all out and when i got home my truck started just fine. drove it sat, sun, and mon all was good. this morning when i got in the parking lot at work it died on me and wouldn't start back up. Turning over just not starting. got off work 10 hours later and it fired right up and i drove it home (about 6 miles) does anybody have any suggestions as to what the crap is going on? It just seems weird that all this happened after disconnecting the cluster. I'm clueless right now

flareside_thunder

See if you can pull codes at all or if it gives you a fit. That doesn't really make any sense to me.....

h8shane

the engine light never came on, but i checked for codes anyways and nothing. I just got thought cutting out the melted part of the wire from the starter and it started up fine again. i just don't want it to die on me while i'm out.

Fast Hampster

I guess that something else managed to happen at the time you were working on a cluster. If fuel pump wouldn't come on at that time I'd say it's grounding issue. There's still a chance that it's something about body grounding. When you can't get it running - do all check lights (like check engine light) act as usual when you turn the key to "ignition on" ? Are they bright as they should be? Do all gauges work? My bet is electrical problem, most probably cab grounding issue. BTW - you had the battery disconnected while removing instrument cluster, correct? I mean, that's when you could slightly move ground wires. Just a guess, may be worth to check.

h8shane

the fuel pump was coming on. all the lights come on and all guages work. and no i didn't disconnect the battery when removing the cluster. it's almost like something is getting hot or something because after it sits awhile it starts right up??

h8shane

it's a 96 302 5.0 automatic if that helps anyone. thanks!

fsuitt

This sounds like the same issuses that I have been having with my truck. After I removed the battery and reinstalled it my truck wouldnt start for three days, Like i said I would turn the key on and count to ten before trying to start, cause i think my fuel pumps are weak, Finially i floored the accelerator when i started it and it finially started. Two days later I tried and failed to start and two hours later I tried again by flooring the gas peddle and it started. I heard on click and clack on npr that by flooring the gas peddle that the enginge is getting more O2 and that helps. I still done trust my truck to start each and every time.

flareside_thunder

I'd have to say a grounding problem. Just because your CEL isn't on doesn't mean your computer isn't storing codes...it can still store them without throwing the CEL.

h8shane

So I took my truck to the shop Monday and as of today, they said it's running fine. Supposedly they've checked everything out and can't find the problem. Before I took it I checked for codes and it said system pass. so no codes. It wouldn't start last saturday when i got off work. Would turn over but no fire. I pulled a plug wire off and no fire the first try starting and started right up the second time with the wire off. I've noticed when i stop the truck idles really low and seems as though it wants to die. Give it some gas and it drives fine. I leave it in park and after a while it dies. I'm picking it up tomorrow because they seem to think it's fine. Does anyone think it has anything to do with when i disconnected the instrument cluster? I went over everthing after I noticed this problem and couldn't find any loose wires or anything. If it's a ground issue, where do i start? Thanks in advance guys.

h8shane

well i when i went to pick it up last week, it wouldn't start. still not getting fire. after a minute it started right up, so i left it over the weekend. the cel finally came on and they said it giving a ignitions code. so far they tried changing ignition control module and crank sensor. neither have fixed the problem. i'll see what they say tomorrow. i miss my truck