No power

[Steve Lowenberg]

Hi all, I am new to the site. I had no trouble starting my 97 expedition until I took battery out to excess the vacuum boxes to check for leaks. So when I put everything back together, I turn key and got big click and nothing. Power shut down. Sounded like it wound if I had bad connection. I proceeded to clean all terminals, starter and ground connections. Kept battery charged. Seemed like if I disconnected battery to clean and reconnect, I had power again untill I tried to start, then same thing? Couple of times with no power, battery saver relay would start clicking, like once every couple seconds, then sometimes not. The only pattern that seemed to repeat, was that if I disconnected battery for short time, and reconnect, I would have some power untill I turned key to try and start, then same thing. A couple times it seemed that if if messed around with ignition switch, power would come back untill I turned ignition to try and start. Then same thing. Puzzling thing is, everything was fine untill I pulled battery, then all the trouble started. I sure hope someone can help before I have to pull to a shop to let them figure out.
I have a 1970 gmc suburban, a lot easier to work on
thanks for the feedback

 

[stamp11127]

Welcome to the site.

If you have a multi-meter check the voltage on the battery posts, not the clamps. If close to being fully charged (12.6v) then perform voltage drop test of the starter circuit wiring.
Clicking relays indicate low voltage.
If they salt the roads during the winter up there, check the battery cables for corrosion internally - voltage drop test will determine that without taking the connections apart. Also check the grounds. Corrosion is resistance and will drop voltage & amps to the load.

 

[Steve Lowenberg]

Thanks, I did clean all connections at starter, gr, battery. Battery was at bout 13 v when I tried was right after charge. Neg cable could probably use replacing. But still curios why everything was fine until I took out battery. Maybe it was right on the verge of failing?
I have multi meter, will google how to do voltage drop test.

 

[stamp11127]

See the electrical section on the site there is one sticky on vd testing.

 

[Steve Lowenberg]

Thanks, I did discover the issue. I had cleaned all connections, but not well enough. Recleaned with dremel and wire wheel did the trick this time. Thanks for all the feedback