No start no turn over, no dash lights?

Tiny
PATRICK SMITH4
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Tightening the negative battery cable the wrench came in contact with the body producing some major sparking, is this a short in positive line. At the same time there's no start, no turnover, no dash lights yet radio lights and display lights seem to work. Checked fuses and relays all good there. When I try to start everything shuts down. Any ideas I don't have much hair left.
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 AT 12:09 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,376 POSTS
Yep, electrical problems can be tough. If you were working with the negative cable there should have been no sparking, are you sure it was not the positive cable? It sounds like you may have a bad battery or a bad connection at the battery cable ends. But we should check the MAXI fuses in the fuse panel near the battery. Please check for power through them, also I would have the battery checked. These guides can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

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Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
PATRICK SMITH4
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  • 6 POSTS
Hello, thank you for your help. Update connected multimeter to negative post on battery then o the hood hinge reading 12v. I'm sure this shouldn't happen going to run down positive cables check for any contact or missing insulation on wires.
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 AT 9:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Are you sure you have the battery installed correctly? It sounds like the polarity is reversed. Can you please upload an image of the battery installed so I can see it?
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
PATRICK SMITH4
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Sorry no camera at this time but battery is in correctly have had others check just to make sure. At this point I'm figuring a positive line is making contact with a ground. I did find that the ground to the block is lose this wouldn't cause a ground fault would it? Will update you when I get a bit farther along. I will work on pic for you though.
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 52,376 POSTS
If the positive cable is touching ground, there would be an electrical fire FYI.
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Thursday, July 17th, 2025 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
PATRICK SMITH4
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok with the positive cable connected to battery and negative disconnected. I can place the lack lead on meter to neg. Post of batt. Then put the red led to the hood hinge I get a reading of 12v It seems to me that would indicate positive being ground. I'm no electrician or mechanic What could cause this.I'm at a lose
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Thursday, July 17th, 2025 AT 3:32 PM

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