View Full Version : 1994 Chevy truck stalls when lights are on.
jernst19
Jan 24, 2010, 05:20 AM
1994 chevy truck the connection from the battery to the starter had broken so I bought a replacement end at Napa. Now when I turn the lights on, apply the brakes or turning signals the truck stalls. The truck won't start until I turn the lights off. What could be wrong
TxGreaseMonkey
Jan 24, 2010, 05:24 AM
Remove and fully charge the battery. Most auto parts stores will test and charge batteries for free. My bet is that the battery is bad.
CaptainRich
Jan 24, 2010, 08:52 AM
1994 chevy truck the connection from the battery to the starter had broken so I bought a replacement end at Napa
Which actual end did you replace?
If your truck had the little pig-tail wire along with the larger red cable, make certain that got back in.
Both ends of both cables need to be clean and secure.
jernst19
Jan 24, 2010, 10:40 AM
Which actual end did you replace?
If your truck had the little pig-tail wire along with the larger red cable, make certain that got back in.
Both ends of both cables need to be clean and secure.
I replaced the end at the starter. I had the battery tested and was good. I had pull started the truck and drove it 4 miles and everything worked okay. Found the broken end and Napa gave me a compression type end. I cut the insulation back and installed as per direction. The connection is for a 6 gauge wire. The cable is a factory cable and I don't know what the gauge wire is. Could that cause the issue also?
CaptainRich
Jan 24, 2010, 11:33 AM
6 gauge sounds kinda small but if all of the original wire bundle fits in it, that's the proper size.
Getting back to "when I turn the lights on, apply the brakes or turning signals the truck stalls," you may have another issue. Your alternator may not be working properly and/or you may have something in the lighting system that is shorted and causing excessive draw, which can overload and stall the engine.
This will likely require hands-on diagnosis and inspection. Who does your other work on your vehicle? Can they diagnose this electrical problem for you?
jernst19
Jan 24, 2010, 09:02 PM
Thanks for all the help... Found the ground wire from the frame to the body was broken. Repalced it and all is well.
jernst19
Jan 24, 2010, 09:04 PM
6 gauge sounds kinda small but if all of the original wire bundle fits in it, that's the proper size.
Getting back to "when I turn the lights on, apply the brakes or turning signals the truck stalls," you may have another issue. Your alternator may not be working properly and/or you may have something in the lighting system that is shorted and causing excessive draw, which can overload and stall the engine.
This will likely require hands-on diagnosis and inspection. Who does your other work on your vehicle? Can they diagnose this electrical problem for you?
Thanks for the help! I found the ground wire from the frame to the body was broken. Replaced it with 10 gauge and all is well!