My [battery](/topics-battery-gmc/) voltage is getting no ...
Customer
My [battery](/topics-battery-gmc/) voltage is getting no power but the other dash lights work and the radio plays still ?
Mechanic's Assistant: Is the power loss consistent, or does it fluctuate?
Consistent.. it does not ...
My [battery](/topics-battery-gmc/) voltage is getting no power but the other dash lights work and the radio plays still ?
Mechanic's Assistant: Is the power loss consistent, or does it fluctuate?
Consistent.. it does not start
Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car?
GMC/Sonoma/1999
Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Sonoma yourself? What have you tried so far?
Yes , fixed the starter few days ago. There was a cord loose went to tug on it it snapped.. tried to hold it together while cranking the car to start it and it sparked and shut the power off on the battery voltage and on a blow box that is installed on the vehicle
Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you?
Um tried to fix the starter wire with some copper wire and twisted them to the wire on the starter but can't start it due to no power going to the blow box which I need to blow in before the car tries to start
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Responses
Amedee
227 days ago
Automotive Expert
Hello and welcome! My name is [and I can assist you with your question. I am a former master tech and I have worked in this field for 20 years. I specialize this type of problem you are experiencing so I am confident I can assist with this issue. I am sorry you are having this issue and I understand this can be frustrating so I will try my best to help.](//www.justanswer.com/car/expert-amedee/)
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Amedee
227 days ago
Automotive Expert
Without knowing all of the information like the vehicle history, the components that have been tested or replaced, the results of any tests that need to be run and without being there myself looking at the vehicle, it is hard to say exactly what is going on. I can only give you a general answer, but I hope this helps.
It sounds to me like you might just have a battery issue, bad connection, blown fuse or fusible link causing your no crank condition. Electrical can be very difficult to diagnose so please stick with me and read this very carefully. There are a few possibilities here that it could be. We are going to need to run a few tests to see what is going on. Don't worry... these tests are really easy! I can walk you through this diagnoses.
The first thing we need to do is check all fuses and check the battery with a voltmeter. A fully charged battery must have enough cranking capacity to provide the starter motor and ignition system with enough power to start the [engine](/topics-engine-gmc/) over a broad range of ambient temperatures. It could be bad or just low on a charge. If it is low on a charge, you need to start by charging it first and then re-testing it. If it is bad, it can still cause a no crank condition even if it’s fully charged. This is due to a bad cell inside the battery. I would recommend to get it load tested at a battery store (maybe even a parts store) or at an automotive repair shop that has a load tester. A battery load test will verify the actual cold cranking amps and the capability of the battery when put under stress (just like if you were to start the engine). This is the best test. Or you can use a voltmeter and measure the voltage while trying to crank the engine over. (Be sure it has a full charge on it which is 12.6 volts.) If the volts drop below 10.0 volts, the battery is bad and needs to be replaced. Just be sure all cables and connections are clean and tight. Not only at the battery, but on the starter, engine and frame! Positive side as well as the negative side. Set your voltmeter to the 20 volt DC scale when checking the battery.
**Battery Voltage and State of Charge:**
**12.68v . . . . . . . . . . 100%**
**12.45v . . . . . . . . . . 75%**
**12.24v . . . . . . . . . . 50%**
**12.06v . . . . . . . . . . 25%**
**11.89v . . . . . . . . . . 0%**
If all checks out, make sure that you have full battery voltage on both terminals of the starter when cranking. If full battery voltage (12.6 volts) is present and the starter is not working, then the starter is bad and will need to be replaced! Just be sure all fuses small regular and large size fuses are good under the hood, as well as inside the vehicle
Some other possible causes would be a faulty starter, engine or frame ground, faulty fuse block or power distribution center, neutral position switch/PNP, range switch or clutch switch (depending on the transmission), bad ignition switch or a wiring or a connection issue at or after the battery.
Most newer cars today use the engine and/or the body module/computer to start and run the engine. The starting circuit is wired through the computer system and if the computer system is not powered up and working correctly this can and will prevent the engine from cranking (depending on your set up). If this is the case, you can check for communication with your computers using a scan tool or code reader and check for codes in the main engine and possibly the body computer of the vehicle.
You can also check the starter relay operation and power/ground in and out of the relay to determine what/if any input is missing (if equipped). This will help determine if the issue with a power supply or a ground supply issue (which could indicate a computer issue).
If you send me the VIN or engine size, I can send you a wiring diagram of the power distribution on your vehicle.
Here are some links to help you test/check the battery. (may have to copy the links into your address bar.)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o\_HzL6eKeHk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_HzL6eKeHk)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw)
Here is a good battery comparison test. This will help you determine which battery to purchase if you need a new one.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7rTcBanpMk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7rTcBanpMk)
Glad I can help. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks and have a great day!
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My [battery](/topics-battery-gmc/) voltage is getting no power but the other dash lights work and the radio plays still ? Mechanic's Assistant: Is the power loss consistent, or does it fluctuate? Consistent.. it does not ...
My [battery](/topics-battery-gmc/) voltage is getting no power but the other dash lights work and the radio plays still ? Mechanic's Assistant: Is the power loss consistent, or does it fluctuate? Consistent.. it does not start Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? GMC/Sonoma/1999 Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Sonoma yourself? What have you tried so far? Yes , fixed the starter few days ago. There was a cord loose went to tug on it it snapped.. tried to hold it together while cranking the car to start it and it sparked and shut the power off on the battery voltage and on a blow box that is installed on the vehicle Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? Um tried to fix the starter wire with some copper wire and twisted them to the wire on the starter but can't start it due to no power going to the blow box which I need to blow in before the car tries to start