Lightning in distress. I went to move the truck out of the driveway last night (ironically, so that I could work on my other "broken" car), turned the key to start it and boom, flash of light from the engine compartment and noise that sounded like a fire cracker, and then nothing. I am hoping that it is simply a fuse or a relay that I have not found (and not the PCM), but I need some help ferreting it out. Here is what I know:

Spark/explosion seemed to come from around the starter relay/battery area (same set up as 4.6- passenger side firewall)
Fuel pump will not prime
Engine will not turn over (not even a noise)
No head lights/brake lights
No radio or accessories (except power seats, interior lights and engine compartment light still work)
Interior lights flicker like crazy after I attempt to start it
The PCM relay located in the interior fuse panel is clicking as the interior lights flash (and it got hot)


I checked all of the fuses I could see (inside and out) and saw nothing- so I am hoping it is a relay. I took apart the interior PCM relay- and it appeared to be intact- any thoughts on where I should go from here?

Chris
2000 L

 

First thing I would so is check the battery for voltage, then I would make sure the terminals are clean and tight, and then I would move on the check the battery connections to the starter and the chassis...

 

I checked the battery- plenty of juice and terminals are tight. There are portions of the truck (interior lights, power seats, etc.) that have juice.

I am concerned that the fuel pump is not priming. Any thoughts on whether a bad starter relay would cause the fuel pump not to prime as well?

 

Check the positive lead at the relay, then consider the starter might be toast.

 

Sounds like you may have a shorted out starter or maybe the battery cable to the starter has come away, also check the starter relay mounted on the firewall next to the battery.

Look for burnt cable or terminals and the smell of over cooked fish.

Anyway kinda like you have toasted your fusable link which is fitted in the battery lead inside that long black plastic box on the heavy duty red cable.

Either that or someone tried to blow you up and the device failed.

 

A short in the starter (or loose wire) doesnt explaint the lights and lack of power to the truck though.

Tell me more about the fusable link. I saw the long plastic box, took it apart expecting to find a fuse of some sort, and all I saw was two wires. To be honest, I thought it went to my remote starter. No?

 

Those two wires are about 1/8 thick and kinda gray in color.
That is the fuseable link.
If it's ok then dig a bit deeper into your wiring connections.