Batteries draining, 1986 CUCV Blazer. Seeking advice.

[chrisniak]

Hello everyone, I've got a 1986 K5 CUCV Blazer I need some help with. Did a full restoration and may have messed some wires. The first issue was that the starter would not stop trying to turn over (even when keys out; had to disconnect cables). Solved this problem, seems that I had crossed the hot wire feeding the starter solenoid with the negative component on the starter. Once we fixed that the starter wouldn't engage the minute we attached the power cables. Truck cranked over and ran, we turned it off, and now when we went to turn it over again the batteries were dead. Put the batteries on a trickle charger and the batteries still now charge at all it seems. Does anyone have any advice? Why would the batteries drain so quickly? What did the batteries not hold charge? Could it be a grounding issue? I need some help getting it back on the road.. It's my only vehicle and I'm tired of riding a bicycle to work (been doing it for about 4 months now).

I should probable note that during my first issue, the batter cables would spark (and arch) on the front battery when connecting the battery cables (happened at the same time the starter would kick in). The cables sparked so hot it melted my battery's post.

 

[Bob H]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?77609-TM-s-for-the-CUCV

 

[porkysplace]

Welcome to SS , the stickies has a lot of information on the electrical system.
How old are the batteries ?
Give them a full charge and have them load tested to eliminate bad batteries as part of the problem.
CUCV Helpful Threads

STARTER
CUCV Stock Starter Circuit
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...tarter-Circuit

CUCV Doghead Starter Relay Modification
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...ay-modifcation

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...od-on-my-M1028

Doghead Starter Relay mod poll
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...lay-Conversion

Starter Brackets, Bolts and other Info.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...cket-bolt-size

Burned Fusible Links after Starter Run on Explained and Illustrated
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...nd-Illustrated

Fusible Links 101
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...ible-Links-101

Starter Rebuild Kits
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...mp-repair-kits

Old Style Direct Drive MT-27 Starter Rebuild
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...-Rebuild-quest

Another cause for Starter run-on
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...ter-nose-conep

ALTERNATOR
GEN1 and GEN2 Exciter circuit troubleshooting
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...roubleshooting

CUCV Isolated Ground Theory of Operation
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...y-of-Operation

CUCV Alternator-symptoms-diagnosis-and-fix
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...gnosis-and-fix

CUCV Alternator Rebuild - illustrated
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...rnator-Rebuild

CUCV Alternator Rebuild
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...build-Question

Convert a Civvy Alternator to an Isolated Ground if you busted your case
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...und-Alternator

Alternator Rebuild Kits
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...mp-repair-kits

 

[cucvrus]

Poor guy is riding a bike. He ask for help and you reference him to start reading manuals. If you get sick I hope someone tells you to read the Physicians Desk Reference. The guy is just asking for a little help. It's his first post. Or is this how to roll out the welcome wagon to a new comer in the hobby. Think we could help him out? Or should we just tell him to do the doghead relay and convert this and that? If I were near by and could help I would. chriniak PM me. I will try to help/talk you thru it. Sorry for your situation. It can be frustrating. I know how it is to be bullied about fixing things. But only via the internet. So many problems so little resolutions when you are so far away. Good Luck.

 

[porkysplace]

Poor guy is riding a bike. He ask for help and you reference him to start reading manuals. If you get sick I hope someone tells you to read the Physicians Desk Reference. The guy is just asking for a little help. It's his first post. Or is this how to roll out the welcome wagon to a new comer in the hobby. Think we could help him out? Or should we just tell him to do the doghead relay and convert this and that? If I were near by and could help I would. chriniak PM me. I will try to help/talk you thru it. Sorry for your situation. It can be frustrating. I know how it is to be bullied about fixing things. But only via the internet. So many problems so little resolutions when you are so far away. Good Luck.

He needs to understand what he is working on and he will need wiring diagrams .

 

[cucvrus]

Honestly. I don't even know how to read a wiring diagram. I worked on a vehicle assembly line 20 years , a GM shop for 10 and never read a wiring diagram. I just use common sense a test light and a Fluke. Most things are easy if you apply yourself. It helps to have another vehicle nearby that works properly. But My first time out I still find shorts and do electrical repairs without any wiring diagrams. That may make me stupid in some eyes. But do a lot of work and always find my problems out by trial and error. It seems he has an error. I would like to help him avoid a trial. It could be as easy as a loose wire or as major as a melt down. If I was riding a bike. And I ask a person for help. I would hope for help. Not homework. IMHO. He needs a life line handed to him not reading material. But I know thats how things get done here. have a great day. Don't get sick.

 

[someoldmoose]

Gentlemen, gentlemen . . . Heat must be gettin' to y'all.

chrisniak, Welcome from Southcentral PA. All of the posters above are, I M H O, correct in their fashion. The most important things you need are mechanical skills, and resources. This place is FULL OF the second. Finding it can be interesting ( read time consuming ) some times but if it isn't on this site with regards to your vehicle . . . it doesn't exist, or you don't need it. Electrical systems are a stone cold beeeee atch! Wiring diagrams will save you every time IF you have the right one for your vehicle (yes, year -- make -- model -- VIN -- manufacture date). It is that specific sometimes. Knowing HOW to read them is very important, however, WE all love to play with MILITARY vehicles. They have ALL the foibles of the OEM, AND THEN are "militarized" (ever hear the acronym S N A F U), IF NOT you WILL come to realize what it means.

NOW, to your issue. My ADVICE :
1 - DISCONNECT and remove the batts. test them and, if serviceable, charge them.
2 - Find and PRINT OUT the complete wiring diagram for the vehicle.
3 - Follow it - EXPLICITLY - while putting the circuits where they belong.
4 - Reinstall the fully charged, serviceable batts.
5 - Cross fingers, say a little ditty to the deity of your choice if you wish, and TURN THE KEY to on. If no smoke is seen or smelled in the ensuing second or two, turn to START. Hopefully, this will also have the intended effect and no unintended side effects.
6 - IF all has gone as it should to this point and the engine is running at idle, check all indicators ( lights, gauges, whirly-gigs) that monitor the engine. If any are not correct, check the system manually or with an add-on tester.
7 - Gonna assume all is well, so check every single electrical system. Lights, wipers, horn, washers, toilet, etc. and fix or replace any deficiencies.
8 - IF all of the above has gone satisfactorily, Crawl in, engage drive, and GO TEAR IT UP ! ! !

THEN, if you make it back to base under power . . . Download and read, and read, and read until you comprehend every TM and other info you can find that refers to your rig. You have something very special there. Please remember to respect it ( sounds like you have, full resto of an '86 Blazer -- Bless you ) and the personnel who might have used it in the service of our Country. Then . . . tear it up some more. Break it, diagnose it, fix it.

Best of luck, and remember, ANYTHING can be fixed. Sometimes, flattening with a D9 Caterpillar is considered a fix.

 

[richingalveston]

read the doghead mod, also and make sure it is part of your restoration

 

[dougco1]

Hello everyone, I've got a 1986 K5 CUCV Blazer I need some help with. Did a full restoration and may have messed some wires. The first issue was that the starter would not stop trying to turn over (even when keys out; had to disconnect cables). Solved this problem, seems that I had crossed the hot wire feeding the starter solenoid with the negative component on the starter. Once we fixed that the starter wouldn't engage the minute we attached the power cables. Truck cranked over and ran, we turned it off, and now when we went to turn it over again the batteries were dead. Put the batteries on a trickle charger and the batteries still now charge at all it seems. Does anyone have any advice? Why would the batteries drain so quickly? What did the batteries not hold charge? Could it be a grounding issue? I need some help getting it back on the road.. It's my only vehicle and I'm tired of riding a bicycle to work (been doing it for about 4 months now).

I should probable note that during my first issue, the batter cables would spark (and arch) on the front battery when connecting the battery cables (happened at the same time the starter would kick in). The cables sparked so hot it melted my battery's post.

Sounds like bad batteries, get them load tested. Weak or bad batteries will cause all kinds of odd things and could cause damage to your starter relay under the dash or your starter itself.

 

[Tinstar]

Trickle chargers are for keeping fully charged battery's topped off.
They are NOT for charging a dead battery.
Low voltage can/will cause a run-on starter, and other issues too.

Follow the advice and download and print out the schematics.
They help a lot.
Read all you can. Yes it's homework, but very beneficial.
Read the stickies and old threads. I spend time almost everyday reading old threads because there are tons of info in them.

Once you understand the 24v stuff and how it works with the 12v stuff, it's not bad at all.

A digital voltmeter is a required tool if you own a cucv.

 

[cucvrus]

He's gone. Probably never post again. He will resolve the issue on his own.

 

[doghead]

He's gone. Probably never post again. He will resolve the issue on his own.

How can you possibly summarize that conclusion?

Maybe he is riding his bike to the public library after work this evening, to use the internet to follow up and research.


We need less, "my way or the highway" attitude.

There is room for every ones input, without negativity.

 

[k5supperbeast]

Hello everyone, I've got a 1986 K5 CUCV Blazer I need some help with. Did a full restoration and may have messed some wires. The first issue was that the starter would not stop trying to turn over (even when keys out; had to disconnect cables). Solved this problem, seems that I had crossed the hot wire feeding the starter solenoid with the negative component on the starter. Once we fixed that the starter wouldn't engage the minute we attached the power cables. Truck cranked over and ran, we turned it off, and now when we went to turn it over again the batteries were dead. Put the batteries on a trickle charger and the batteries still now charge at all it seems. Does anyone have any advice? Why would the batteries drain so quickly? What did the batteries not hold charge? Could it be a grounding issue? I need some help getting it back on the road.. It's my only vehicle and I'm tired of riding a bicycle to work (been doing it for about 4 months now).

I should probable note that during my first issue, the batter cables would spark (and arch) on the front battery when connecting the battery cables (happened at the same time the starter would kick in). The cables sparked so hot it melted my battery's post.

hey I have an 86 k5 blazer I did the same thing it keeps on turning over and im only 19 can u help me solve this plz

 

[Trailgator]

I had a similar situation with PO’s rewiring of my M1009, I am quite familiar with vehicle wiring, with the CUCV’s wiring, IMHO, it is IMPERATIVE that you have proper diagrams to do it right. This site has all of the info that you will need to do your CUCV right. Good luck with it.

 

[cucvrus]

How can you possibly summarize that conclusion?

Maybe he is riding his bike to the public library after work this evening, to use the internet to follow up and research.


We need less, "my way or the highway" attitude.

There is room for every ones input, without negativity.
1,042 days

• There are 1,042 days from June 12, 2017 to April 19, 2020. He GONE.