94 jimmy sudden death cyndrom

On a nice sunny day , I was driving back from grandmas house when suddenly my royal steed took a crap on me an died at an intersection . I tryed to start the darn thing and it was like there was no power from the battery to the starter. All the lights work , except the dash lights that normaly come on when you first turn the key, they do not come on.I tested the fusable links from the battery cable and found power. Is there another fusable link on the cable down around the starter silanoid? I know my spelling is crap..... this has been an out standing truck for me w/ 150,000 plus trouble free miles and runs strong as ever,I looked at the fuses, and took off the bottom of the dash and tested some wires under there that were marked with tags ,starter power in , power out , ground , constant power etc. With the key on I was not getting any thing from or too, the starter wires under the dash ...can you help me ...please thanks guys

Sounds like an alternator problem. If you jump it does it start? If you pop a fresh battery in does it start fine? If so, then your alternator is probably not recharging your battery and needs replacing.

Since your key activates the ignition, it doesn't sound like an ignition switch problem, but I have seen a lot of problems with older Jimmy's ignitions on this forum.

Alternator died probably and the engine sucked the battery dry keeping the engine going.

Test your battery with a voltmeter.

thanks guys, however Ikeep a close eye on my amp and temp, oil pressure etc the alt was putting out 14 amps just min before it died on me,and there never were any indications in the past to a low battery, or the ingnition switch giving any sign of a future failer such as hard to turn key or anything. I tested the starter and it works fine , the problem seems to be, between the soliniod and the ignition switch some where. Where does the wire from the switch go and where does the wire from the soleniod go, maybe I could twst there to see where the power is not making the connection. Thanks again guys for the help.

Did you test the battery with a voltmeter yet?

Had the battery tested first thing, tested good , new battery ,2 months old. Got under dash and found the following: Found {6) wires marked, starter in, starter out- ignition in, ignition out - constant power-and ground, with the key in the start position the starter in and the ingnition in both have power, the ignition out does not, nor does the starter out, the constant power has constant power, and I do have a good ground. Is there anything besides the ingnition switch,that would keep me from having power out, when the key is in the start position, or should there be power in the, ingnition power out wire,in the start or run position, there is no power, in the, ignition power in when in the run position. I hope this makes sense to some one out there. Thanks guys

Test the battery with a voltmeter and come back with how many volts it is putting out.

Battery tested at about 13.6 volts, I was also told that its possible for the ignition modgule to make it act this way. I thought it would still crank, but not start if it was that, ya-know -no spark. Like I said , I tested the cables and all the fussable links I could find- as well as the grounds. the lights on the dash are the only ones not lighting up when you turn the key to the run position. If you know where the wire from the solenoid on the starter runs to and the wire from the ignition switch run too, I think there is a disconect there some where.

[QUOTE=ohdano]Battery tested at about 13.6 volts, I was also told that its possible for the ignition modgule to make it act this way. I thought it would still crank, but not start if it was that, ya-know -no spark. Like I said , I tested the cables and all the fussable links I could find- as well as the grounds. the lights on the dash are the only ones not lighting up when you turn the key to the run position. If you know where the wire from the solenoid on the starter runs to and the wire from the ignition switch run too, I think there is a disconect there some where.
I also have a clifford anti-theft devise on the jimmy,in the past however however the lights on the dash would still come on if you forgot to turn off theclifford system, now the normal dash lights that come on, like seat belt-abs-brake-etc arnt coming on, head lights, interior lights are all nice and bright. Any Ideas?

I would start by checking the battery terminals not just at the battery check the other end too (especially the engine ground), take them off and clean them, make sure they are getting a good connection. A loose connection would allow your lights and accessories to work but would not let higher amp items (like the starter) operate. I would check these first, to elimate the possibility of simple problems before going into more involved testing.

The ignition switch could be the problem, not the part you put the key in, but the actual switch itself. Anything that is activated by key is run through this switch, and could be affected if it is bad.

There are three fusible links in the starting circuit. I sorry, I don't know the locations, but the wires are red, one fusible link (fusible link B) is black. The other two fusible links (links F and G) are blue. The one with the black fusible link (B) goes from the battery junction box to the ignition swtch. The ones with links F and G go from the Battery and Alternator to the Battery junction box.

The starter wire leaves the ignition switch and goes to the (park/neutral switch if you have an automatic) or the (Clutch start switch if you have a stick) from there it goes to the solenoid on the starter.

I hope that answers the questions you have. From my experience I would tend to believe that it is the ignition switch or something suppling power to it, because if the problem was solely in the starting circuit it shouldn't have died. It sounds like the problem effects both the starting circuit and the ignition system.

ignition module on the distributor could cause this, also a bad coil.

Clean all contacts between you battery, your alternator and the starter and make sure they are all tight.

Well, I am still here, I tried the module by replacing it and naturally that wasnt it, next is the ignition switch it self, hope thats the ticket how ever I do not think so. The jimmy was running when it died. does the power go through the coil and then to the solenoid on the starter? I ll check the power to and from the coil if there is any and let you guys know what I find, I will find the problem by god and let you know what the gremlin was....

I would start by checking the battery terminals not just at the battery check the other end too (especially the engine ground), take them off and clean them, make sure they are getting a good connection. A loose connection would allow your lights and accessories to work but would not let higher amp items (like the starter) operate. I would check these first, to elimate the possibility of simple problems before going into more involved testing.

The ignition switch could be the problem, not the part you put the key in, but the actual switch itself. Anything that is activated by key is run through this switch, and could be affected if it is bad.

There are three fusible links in the starting circuit. I sorry, I don't know the locations, but the wires are red, one fusible link (fusible link B) is black. The other two fusible links (links F and G) are blue. The one with the black fusible link (B) goes from the battery junction box to the ignition swtch. The ones with links F and G go from the Battery and Alternator to the Battery junction box.

The starter wire leaves the ignition switch and goes to the (park/neutral switch if you have an automatic) or the (Clutch start switch if you have a stick) from there it goes to the solenoid on the starter.

I hope that answers the questions you have. From my experience I would tend to believe that it is the ignition switch or something suppling power to it, because if the problem was solely in the starting circuit it shouldn't have died. It sounds like the problem effects both the starting circuit and the ignition system.

The coil will not keep the starter from engaging. Neither will the module.

I am going for the switch next...let you know what happens p.s. Iam also taking out extra fire insurance just in case...ha ha

I would be looking at the security system. Does the security system disable the ignition, and the starter to avoid a theft? I would be checking there first. If you can disconnect it, or bypass it, try that and see what happens.

Well guys , it is not the ignition switch,the module,the battery,the starter,alternator,fuses,fusable links,battery cables, battery terminals...Iam getting power from the switch in both the run and the start position.Next stop,get some one else that knows more to check and how to check it. Any ideas would be great.

Im thinking the same thing, its about the only thing I do not know how to disengage completly from the vehicle.

I had something somewhat similar happen, the truck would start but if I went 5-10 ft it would quit. I'd pop the hood and check around, then it would start up again. Did this a couple of times and after futzing around under the hood discovered a loose battery terminal connection. Just enough connection that a bit of movement would connect/disconnect it. Tightened it up and it's been fine since.
Good luck!

Well fellows, its not the switch, that just about does it except for the "clifford" anti-theft device. I have a friend coming over who thinks he may just be able to do the trick, I will let you know what the evil gremlin, turns out to be, be sides the loose nut behind the wheel.Thanks for everyones help on this one.

YEEEEEEA!!!!!!!!!!! It was the dad-gum anti theft device the {clifford} device had gone bad and killed my jimmy on the spot. After paraless days and long sleepless nights of suffuring,crying ,praying,spending,and praying and more spending that was the snake in the grass,I want to thank everyone for all their prayers and advice, and thanks to, blazee ,for sticking with me on this ride through gremlin land, may the great automotive goddess bless us all.

I'm glad to hear you got it sorted out. And thanks for coming back and letting us know the problem. Too many people never report back.