Bad ground?

1,325

Asked by 1993_GMC_1500 Feb 02, 2013 at 10:37 AM about the 1993 GMC Sierra 1500 C1500 SLX Extended Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

While im driving my truck acts as if i
put it in neutral. Last for just a
second, sometimes it "stutters" per
say, The engine revs but it doesn't
actually kept going.
I know its not the tranny because
when this happens all gauges, lights,
even the radio cut out.
Bad ground somewhere?
Alternator maybe?

77 Answers

177,545

I would start looking with the ground connections. If it was an alternator, the battery would carry the load. There should be both a ground to the engine and to the frame.

39 people found this helpful.

Yep, and that ground often is a bare flat strip of braided copper or steel, going from engine to firewall

39 people found this helpful.
1,325

What are the common grounds? Like what ground would link the interior/ exterior lights with either the tranny or fuel pump ( still not sure exactly what's cutting out) The only thing i have done to the truck recently is replaced the fuel pump, put a cd player in, and removed the oil pan due to suspicion of a spun main ( ended up being a bolt came out of the fly wheel and was getting chewed up making the grinding sound)

42 people found this helpful.
69,815

Tomorrow (technically later today) I can look up a wiring diagram at work. This is only my assumption but I may be wrong---> If you were losing ground to the trans control module I would also have to assume you would lose your ground to the engine control module. The large ground straps to the engine being bad would cause the engine to die when this happens.---- I will look into the power sources for these items. The ignition switch has multiple contacts in it that feed many things if the engine is on its own it may be a place to start. I will look into it and the more exact detail you can give the more more I can help. How often, temperatures both ambient and engine, driving conditions, what exactly shuts off and what doesn't literally everything.

21 people found this helpful.
61,205

check to make sure the electrical connections on the trans are secure an on the pcm. Idk if they are clipped or may have a bolt running down the middle. 93 was the first year for the 4l60e, they stick in 2nd gear when they loose signal. It should just slip, if only for a split second maybe to shift.

31 people found this helpful.
69,815

Ignition switch does look like a possibility. Try putting in a switchable jumper between the trans power wire and battery positive. When it does this again quickly flip the switch and see if the trans comes back on.

27 people found this helpful.
1,325

Engine temp has recently begun to get a little hot while driving but it always goes back to normal within a couple minutes. All my gauges jump up except my battery, that drops to bout 12. All interior and exterior lights dim and radio shuts off. engine jumps to bout 2500 rpm and stutters, when i let off the gas everything goes back to normal. Mainly happens when i hit a large bump or i get on the gas to pass or accelerate after a turn.

36 people found this helpful.
69,815

Is your battery serviceable? Is there a place on it to add fluids?

9 people found this helpful.
69,815

If all connections look good then rig up that switchable jumper.

11 people found this helpful.
1,325

Positive on the battery is a little rusty. what do you mean serviceable and how do i do the jumper switch

13 people found this helpful.
69,815

Serviceable is when there are removable caps and acid has to be added. How much do you know about wiring? Your truck should have a transmission fuse and you can jump directly to that. Clean that positive terminal up really good and wait to see if it happens again. Are you certain the battery is driving that high? I'm thinking it may just be the teach acting up from a bad connection.

10 people found this helpful.
1,325

battery runs at a constant 14. Don't know much about wiring. im bout positive its an electrical problem though

9 people found this helpful.
205

my truck does them same thing but its when i let off the gas everything dims down and acts like it wants to die

20 people found this helpful.
69,815

Check your alternator and serpentine belt

7 people found this helpful.
1,325

Sorry I never got back to y'all on this but I did end up figuring it out, talked to the local shop owner and he suggested a fuel pressure test. Ended up being a bad fuel pump. Replaced that and all is good, but now, started friday, I have a new problem.

13 people found this helpful.
610

Ihave a GMC 1500 series 1988 sometimes while coasting it dies then doesn't want to start it just clicks or don't make no sound at all I tap on the battery terminal and most of the time it will start right up and run great I replaced the battery terminals started up and ran great for about two days now same problem again. I was told its the starter. but how can it be the starter if when I tap on the battery it starts? Or is quincidentalthat it starts when Itap the battery? I need opinions!

13 people found this helpful.
69,815

It's not the starter, the starter will never shut the engine off. Could be corrosion in the wires.

2 people found this helpful.
460

I have a problem with the battery dies after sitting for a day never had a problem till after the alternator gone bad????

18 people found this helpful.
1,700

It's a fuse in the fuse box that looses connection it's a power fuse 10 amp in the fuse box next to driver door all gauges will quit working except one of I remember correct and that's oil pressure I believe it makes tranny default to third gear on take off and also slip into a neutral state . One other thing causes this too except gauges will continue to work which is odometer wire from tcase to tranny to instrument panel which causes speedo to become erratic

19 people found this helpful.
1,700

The last answer was pertaining to the questions about the tranny and instrument problems

6 people found this helpful.
460

My alternator gone bad so I replaced it now I'm having problems with the battery I've put a new one in x2 everything works but the battery keeps dying I have to jump start it if it sits longer then a day?? Can you please help me figure this out

15 people found this helpful.
1,700

I'm not sure what the problem is with the charging issues however I just replaced the speed sensor on my 2001 gmc and my speedometer and tranny both work fine now . However I had had problems before with the instrument gauges not working and the tranny goes to a neutral state and that's when I found the 10 amp fuse was loosing power hope this helps

7 people found this helpful.
460

well I do have a parasitic load narrowed down to the accessory fuse does any one have an idea what it might be?? checked dome lights not it??

6 people found this helpful.
110

I have a 1993 gmc seirra. It runs fine everything. But when you have to stop my oil gauge drops and it acts like it wants to die. Even worse when the head lights are on. Can someone please help. I'm clueless

11 people found this helpful.
130

I have a similar issue but mine is a 97 Chevy Silverado replaced fuel pump thinking it was bad fuel pump still wont enguage. The battery guage isn't working either what u guys think that could be

13 people found this helpful.
655

I've got a 94 Chevy 1500. I was goin to work one mornin and hit a pothole. The lights dimmed down and the truck started to dog then shut off. I got it to work and then looked at it after I was done. The truck runs great until I turn on the headlights. It brings my battery gauge way down and draws enough power from my fuel pump that the truck will spit and sputter then shut off after a couple of minutes. Keep the lights off and it runs great. Changed the battery and had the alternator tested 5 times. Checked and cleaned the grounds. Still can't figure it out. Anyone have any ideas?

24 people found this helpful.
430

Fire flares up by steering colum & steering box bad ground got a new starter to need help

11 people found this helpful.
120

I got a 1995 2500 gmc that all it does is click... We took the starter out and tested it and it is good but sometimes all i can get is a click. We had to jump it down on yhe starter.... So does antone have a answer to help me??

12 people found this helpful.
100

I would check your throttle position sensor. They can show they work but sometimes wear the tape out in places.

5 people found this helpful.

I have a 1995 gmc 1500 truck.. Trying to find out why not getting power. Changed to a new battery and it started fine. Next day tried to start it and nothing. No power at all. I have no idea how to check if it's my alternator or not. The battery Reads .01 now and I don't hear any ignition clicks. No lights come on. No radio. Power windows don't work. No key noise when inserting key. Any advice on what to try would be appreciated.

21 people found this helpful.
100

Have you checked all fuses.sounds like a bad fuse connection.

5 people found this helpful.
61,205

Your battery is now dead, something is staying on draining it. Doubt it is your alternator

9 people found this helpful.

Thanks guys I explained the same problem to a mechanic and he thinks it's a main power fuse as well. Now if I can figure out which one and then go from there. Thanks for the advice you guys gave though. Much appreciated

8 people found this helpful.
430

Where are the main ground cables at I have a 95 gmc sierra I heard they are somewhere in the kick panels?

43 people found this helpful.
140

I have a 1994 gmc sierra every time i start it it wont start it drags i have to press down the gas for it to start. Im thinking its the fuel filter. Or what could it be any suggestions

8 people found this helpful.
140

I have a 1994 gmc sierra every time i start it it wont start it drags i have to press down the gas for it to start. Im thinking its the fuel filter. Or what could it be any suggestions

6 people found this helpful.
20

I had that problem and I changed the egr valve and the idle air control valve.

2 people found this helpful.
150

I have a 1993 chevy I drove out my yard not even a block my truck cut off and wouldn't start but when I went to start it the next 2 days it crunk rite up drove a lil bit then shuts off then doesn't want to start I done change the distributer what do y'all think

15 people found this helpful.
50

Acceleration Problems So I have a 89 chevy suburban 5.7 and I have a problem with the acceleration when headlights on only runs perfect other than that.o yea and radio always randomly goes out new alternator new battery idk what it is I guess I'm gonna check the grounds idk please help can't drive at night runs bad when lights are on

5 people found this helpful.
80

Have a question , have 91 chevy truck 1500 with 350, had a bad battery my voltage gauge on dash would read 12 or 13 while running i shut off try start would barely start if not at all, had alternator check said was good, so i replaced battery every thing seems work great ,, BUT now my voltage gauge on dash doesnt work ar all and while truck running i turn on lights some of my lights dim a bit like heater display radio is fine though , voltage gauge is just buried below 9 any ideas

7 people found this helpful.
20

Check your coil is getting good connection. Had the same prob in my 94 Chevy g30 van it was the coil loose

2 people found this helpful.
60

Hey guys I've got a 96 1500 5.7 vortec. I'm so lost on what to check now I've gone over and over on this thing. But idle is fine over 2000rpm is fine in between it's sound like a bunch of guns goin off popping farting lose of power. I like I've said I've been all over this truck and can't fined nothing plz help

6 people found this helpful.
20

The wandering ground and positive battery terminal issue has been a problem with my 1995 GMC 2500 from day 1. I now have 250K and started to pump money into repairs. Was happy until today. We had rain event, would not turn the starter, removed and replaced pos term, hit starter a few times, then BANG, no power.

2 people found this helpful.
140

Hey guys, i have a 93 C1500 automatic that im thinking has an electrical issue. was driving down the highway this morning and all of a sudden i had total tranny slippage. Felt like i was in neutral until i dropped it into 2nd and then it hooked up. felt like it wanted to stall though. as that was happening my hvac blower motor died and then after a few minutes everything returned back to normal. Thinking its a loose ground somewhere?

14 people found this helpful.
120

I'm a Tow Truck driver check battery clamps. And main power wire a fuses. If you have circuit breaker type fuses little metallic box change .

4 people found this helpful.
60

A 1997 Chevy 2500 when I start out a red light balls down then it then it speeds up slowly what's his problem an no power. An I change spark plugs. Wire. Cap. Fuel pump

6 people found this helpful.
20

My truck is a 2012 GMC SIERRA and it was doing the same thing and it was a bad ground... Problem solved.

2 people found this helpful.
10

dog chewed wiring harness underneath of my 2007 gmc sierra 1500 sle I have match all the colored wires but the truck want start any ideas would greatly be appreciated.

1 people found this helpful.
30

Just change the ground wire going from the battery to the motor frame and chassis, but is better if you change both positive and negative, is going to cost between $300- 400 both.

3 people found this helpful.
40

I have a grounding issue I put the battery in the truck and hook up the hot wire but cant hook the ground to the battery without it sparkin i just did a engine swap what should I do

4 people found this helpful.
90

Theres's a possible short some where, Check the positive lead coming from the starter that leads straight to the battery, make sure that red lead is not burned and has the wire exposed, it might be touching the frame which may be causing this spark! this is a common cause from the exhaust manifold.

2 people found this helpful.
70

I have a 1993 checy silverado i replaced alternator battery the cable to relay and stater. Replaced starter sometimes it goes then it axt like a relay switch but it will start fine few days then not run for weeks im at a loss plz help

2 people found this helpful.
240

I grounded out my alternator wire on my 1991 GMC 454 motor home while it was running. Stopped it dead. Now barely runs; won't idle, rpms up and down as you feather the throttle. Even though it was the hot wire, I'm guessing I compromised a ground and the engine computer is all over the place. Any ideas? Had just installed rebuilt engine, and even though running fine, it would randomly stall after about 45 min of idle. after shorting out hot wire; everything is bad...

4 people found this helpful.
240

Haven't sorted everything out yet, but computer ground was bad; now at least it runs, but still surges at idle. braided frame to engine got that cleaned up and shiny and there was improvement. I'm going to clean up the battery ground to frame next. Each ground I clean up, there is improvement. Motor home has been sitting for at least 3 years. Have no idea how it ran with the old engine. They used only water for coolant and completely rusted up all the water passage ways and overheated/ruined both the heads and the block. Idiots. Never use only water. Antifreeze is ALSO antiboil, has rust inhibitors, and has lubricant for the water pump.

2 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 1997 Chevy k1500 my instrument cluster quite so I put a different one in and it still doesn’t work I have looks at the fuses and they are fine the only thing that works on the cluster is my gas gauge volt gauge and oil gauge but the mph and rpm gauge doesn’t work at all would any body know what the problem would be and how to fix it

6 people found this helpful.
50

My 1997 was doing same, trans quit pulling engine goes off and on. The problem I found was the positive battery cable going to the PCM "'computer" was arcing and losing contact with the battery at the battery. There are two positive cables at the battery, one goes to the starter the other goes to computer no voltage to computer and all that happens !

5 people found this helpful.
30

My 97 Tahoe has same cluster issues after I put the MPFI system in it I swore I lost a ground somewhere on the back of the bank 2 head, tach and speedo cycle then creep to full peg, fuel gauge bounces from full to empty, temp and oil pressure work, also the door chime sounds like a european siren when the seatbelt light flashes, any ideas? Oh by the way this was a stolen recovery I bought I had to put an engine and complete harness from a wrecked 99, everything worked perfect till the injection upgrade.

3 people found this helpful.
30

Guys, I went out one day started truck up, smoke started coming from the headlight switch. So i pulled dash off, and unplugged headlight switch box. Lost all the four guages, gas, oil press, temp and volt. I went to a junkyard got a used one and still nothing. Also, truck doesn't shift. Any idea? truck's got 343k, its a 95 k1500

3 people found this helpful.
30

I have reduced engine power, checked codes, said was throttle body, throttle sensor, accelerator pedal. Replaced all those things, still have reduced engine power. Anything guys?

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 1992 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 5.7L, 5 days ago I started it, It ran for two minutes then shut off and would not start, I have put a new battery and starter in it with no luck of it starting, I also just put a new coil in it and have a new distributor cap and rotor coming but I need to know what could possibly cause this because I am baffled and am getting frustrated

1 people found this helpful.
240

Re my 1991 motorhome 454 after installing recent rebuilt engine (reusing distributor from rebuilt) engine would randomly stall. Might restart. Or not. Couldn't drive on road with this issue. It was the tiny connector on the distributor module. Loose. Clip was broken, so bought new complete distributor. Problem solved!! The previous owner of the engine bought a rebuilt distributor, but barebones. Reused old module with broken clip. He couldn't get it running right either, so parted out his suburban. Tired of throwing money at it. Mine now... Florida to Michigan last spring ran perfect

1 people found this helpful.
20

Mine is all original, 2 months ago I put new plugs and wires in and in the last 3 days since it stopped working i have done battery starter coil and waiting on distributor cap and rotor to come and install it if this doesn't fix it I have no idea what is wrong with it, it is getting fuel air and power just no spark I am assuming because even with starter fluid to the carburetor she will not start

1 people found this helpful.
240

Have module tested and check for loose connection. That's where my no spark came from. I changed all the things you mentioned but still no spark. Taking distributor out I noticed module terminal at a slight angle. Pushed it in but it came back out. No module connection. No spark.

2 people found this helpful.
10

2004 Chevy Tahoe, Ok guys I'm sure some one has answered this already but just want to double check. Ok as I'm driving everything is going good then all of sudden I lose power to engine, headlights and cluster lights all lose power for a split second then back on then a little bit later it'll do it again...…what can be the issue(s)?

1 people found this helpful.

Chevy avalanche 04 stuck in second gear had transmission rebuilt and its still stuck...need help

I have a 1997 GMC 1500 truck and last week while driving it sounded like I was in neutral,and started slipping real bad .No noises just slipping.Could this be caused by a bad ground wire? There is nothing wrong with my transmission and almost started to pull my transmission out .I need help please?

Can anyone tell me what this could be I was driving down the road in my 1997 GMC 1500 truck and all of a sudden i have transmission slippage.No noises or anything just started slipping.

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