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Turned the key in the ignition and everything went black

Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I went to leave work tonight and turned the key in the ignition and everything went black and could not turn the key back to the office position. Electric door locks won't work. Didn't check the headlights to see if they would work but the interior lights don't come on.
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 9:30 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,197 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, I need you to check fuses 22, 34, and 36 in the under hood fuse box. I attaches two pictures. One is the layout of the fuse box and the second is a legend of what each fuse does.

Here are a few links that may help:

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

Now, if the fuses are all good, next I need you to confirm the battery is good and the terminals are clean and tight. Follow these links.

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Do these things first and let me know the results.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, February 22nd, 2019 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I checked the fuses and they are okay. The battery is covered and I couldn't get the cover off to check it. I did try jump starting and although it still wouldn't start, I was able to turn the ignition switch to off and got the key out. The dome lights and alarm for forgotten keys work as well as the electric door locks. The radio doesn't come on and neither do the headlights. The starter doesn't even try to turn over.
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Starter was replaced a month ago.
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
So the battery was bad. Changed it and nothing has changed as far as starting and power.
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,197 POSTS
Okay, the part that has me most confused it the fact that the lights don't work. They are separate circuits. As far as the starter, did you check if there is power to the smaller wire on the starter when the key is in the start position? Did you check the starter relay? Look at picture 1. It shows where power goes on the starter. The red wire is direct from the battery. Make sure it has 12 volts all the time. The purple wire gets 12 volts only when the key is in the start position. See if that happens.

Do me a favor, see if putting it in neutral makes a difference.
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay. It has been way too cold. The headlights actually do come on but still nothing when I try to start it. Can't get it to move out of park to try starting it in neutral.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 7:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,197 POSTS
Welcome back:

Don't laugh, but are the brake lights working? The park lock release is powered through the brake light switch. Although the brake light switch won't prevent starting, it may indicate a power loss to the fuse panel. Also, I really suggest removing the battery, having it charged, and then load tested. Most parts stores will do that for you once the battery is removed. The battery may be shot (shorted internally) and even preventing the vehicle from being jump started.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Already changed the battery. I will have to check the brake lights tomorrow.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,197 POSTS
Welcome back:

Let me know what you find. Also, check to see if there are any loose grounds from the battery.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Brake lights are working. Forgot to check wiring. The only dash light that comes on when I turn the key to the on position is the battery light and the power windows don't work.
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,197 POSTS
I really feel it is one of the main ignition fuses. Something is preventing power. Please recheck the fuses I mentioned earlier, and make sure there is power both to the fuse and out. Also, check the grounds I mentioned near the battery.
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The grounds look good and we changed the ignition fuses. No difference.
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 AT 10:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,904 POSTS
It sounds like the positive battery cable is bad and needs to be replaced here are diagrams to help. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
LORETTA WILLEMS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Problem solved. It was a fuse that had been removed (stolen) while I was working. Strange but was the only explanation for the missing fuse. Thanks for all your suggestions.
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Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,904 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 11:02 AM

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