1996 Z-71 Electrical Glitches

Noticed 1st one a few weeks ago. I went to crank the truck an nothing
happened. Tried immediately again and it started, but clock reset tp
12:00 . I reset clock. tried to tighted all battery cables but they
were tight. I undid them and cleaned them but they were not dirty.
Same problem accured when I was warming up truck in cold 20 degree
weather to defrost. No problem occured until I tried to put it in
reverse. I turned on headlights and it died. It immediately restarted
and I went on my way. 3RD problem in shopping center parking lot. Drove
there with no problems and went inside to shop. Came out and turned key
and nothing happened. Do dash lights, headlights were not left on. I
turned on and off every electrical switch I could find. Tried to re
crank and it fired right up. Alternator guage has never fluctuated
below 13 since I have owned the truck new. It`s got 158,400 on it and I
service it every 3000 miles. This electrical glitch is giving me fits.
Any offers of help or related stories / fixes except buying a new one ?

Look for bad grounds. They're hard to spot sometimes!

My truck was 'freaking out' on me one time - ended up being a loose bolt
under the dash (with a ground strap under it).

If you've got a digital meter, look for a voltage drop from the center of
your negative battery terminal to various points (body itself, frame, block,
etc etc). This might help to narrow it down at least.


"Uncle Hazel" wrote in message

> Noticed 1st one a few weeks ago. I went to crank the truck an nothing
> happened. Tried immediately again and it started, but clock reset tp
> 12:00 . I reset clock. tried to tighted all battery cables but they
> were tight. I undid them and cleaned them but they were not dirty.
> Same problem accured when I was warming up truck in cold 20 degree
> weather to defrost. No problem occured until I tried to put it in
> reverse. I turned on headlights and it died. It immediately restarted
> and I went on my way. 3RD problem in shopping center parking lot. Drove
> there with no problems and went inside to shop. Came out and turned key
> and nothing happened. Do dash lights, headlights were not left on. I
> turned on and off every electrical switch I could find. Tried to re
> crank and it fired right up. Alternator guage has never fluctuated
> below 13 since I have owned the truck new. It`s got 158,400 on it and I
> service it every 3000 miles. This electrical glitch is giving me fits.
> Any offers of help or related stories / fixes except buying a new one ?
>