98 Expy EB just went dead, nothing!

[brilis]

Hey all, new poster, been reading here for some time. I have a 98 EB 4 wheel drive with the 5.4. I put the key in a few weeks ago, lights all on, turned it to start, then a small click, then nothing. All dead, it was like someone cut the battery cable. I check fuses, everything, all good power at battery good. Used my jeep for the day, next day it starts right up, hmmm.

A week goes by, it does it again, was using the truck everyday. Check everything again, checked the main fuse under the hood, removed plastic cover, put back on. Truck started, again hmmmm.

Another week later it happened again. I opened up the hood, with keys in the ignition, hit the fuse cover, bam all power came back. Happened again this AM, hit it again, again it got its power back.

Anyone have any idea what to look for? Thanks in advance all.

Brian

 

[sgtowing]

Check the main power cable that goes to the fuse block and the battery. Sounds like cable might be loose. Also check the connections at the fuses. Good luck

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[Thermo]

Brills, when you say that the truck went dead, are you saying that the motor didn't start or are you saying that everything turned off (ie dimmed)? This makes a big difference. Because the truck starts later, we can rule out a bad battery. if you are seeing everything dim, then you are looking at a bad power cable. Since you can hit a specific spot and power comes back, I am willing to get that you either have a loose connection on the starter solenoid (under the plastic cover) or the cable is starting to fail in that area.

If the motor simply is not starting, then I would be looking at the starter solenoid.

 

[jacks3am]

Building on what thermo said if it just doesnt start but you have power, turn the key on, look for the solenoid and stick a screwdriver inbetween the big posts and if it starts, thats your culprit!

 

[brilis]

Thanks guys. When I say dead, I mean dead, lol. Nothing. I opened up the truck with my remote, locks pop open. I open up the door, interior lights are all on. Put the key in, all dashboard lights come on, sounds etc. I turn the key, click sound, everything goes dead. No lights, no sounds. It is like somebody took out the battery. Noting at all. No power to anything. I hit the plastic cover under the hood labeled main fuse, all power comes back on, truck starts right up. It has never went dead once it is running.

 

[walnuts4x4]

sounds like a bad connection somewhere..

 

[Thermo]

Brilis, something just hit me. When you have this issue, is it right after you have either washed the truck or it has rained?

 

[locoman687]

On my 98 I had to remove the fuse box and clean it (i used pepsi, yes pepsi, maybe coke will work) due to all the green corrosion. I had this same problem happen to me twice and I was going to replace it with a junk yard block, luckily I cleaned mine up first and have not had a problem in 3 months. The fuse box under the hood of the 97 and 98 are a bad design. Take your time to clean it up if you see any green corrosion and you should be ok.

 

[brilis]

Funny thing about the rain, it is after or during the rain if I remember right? What are you thinking Thermo?

 

[walnuts4x4]

if its after rain might be a leaky window getting the GEM module wet

 

[jacks3am]

Brilis, something just hit me. When you have this issue, is it right after you have either washed the truck or it has rained?

Its happened to me explain right now so I can prevent it from happening again!

 

[Thermo]

jacks3am, what is happening is your windshield is leaking in the upper driver's corner. The water if flowing down along the windshield and getting into the dash. It just so happens that the water drips on to the Generic Electronics Control Module (GEM). This controls all the electrical stuff inside the truck and one of the things is an accessory delay relay. If you get the module wet, it can do all sorts of funky things, one of which would be to drop all power to the inside of the truck.

So, to fix this, you will need to drive the truck to a windshield place and tell them that you need a new seal on your windshield. Probably run you about $100. But, they will remove your current windshield, remove the gasket, install a new gasket and then put your current windshield back in. Takes about an hour to do.

 

[brilis]

Winsheild not leaking. Not sure, some sort of connection problem with the main fuse under the hood. Will investigate more when I have some time. Right now, I punch the plastic cover once every few days and then power is restored. Funny thing is, when I open up the door, lights on, put key in the ignition and turn it all lights go on the dashboard, final turn of the key to start and all goes dead. Hit main fuse cover box under hood, all power back.

 

[ELVATO]

Sounds to me like an excellent security system.

The symptoms are the same for when my positive battery terminal would get loosened. Everything works until you try start it. It just clicks once and everything dies. Yours just seems to be in the under hood fuse box.