Electrical issues, need help!

[toastybroski]

After dealing with starter issues I finally got a new starter in. Unfortunately I forgot to disconnect the battery in my haste and there was a decent spark when I was replacing the connection at the starter. I disconnected the battery and finished the install and everything looked ok. However when I turn the ignition all power to the car completely goes out. This is able to reset by removing the negative terminal and putting it back on. There is a single spark on the battery when I turn the ignition and the power goes out. The battery tested good. I have no idea what else to do or try. When putting jumper cables on the car starts up immediately. However while driving, the lights flicker when using things like the power windows.


Any ideas?

 

[Spktyr]

Try swapping in another battery and cleaning the battery terminals. You may have shorted the battery out so it can no longer deliver enough amps to start the car or do anything else once you've tried to start it.

 

[toastybroski]

Try swapping in another battery and cleaning the battery terminals. You may have shorted the battery out so it can no longer deliver enough amps to start the car or do anything else once you've tried to start it.

Would this not show up on a battery tester like they do at a auto store? It checked out ok.

 

[Spktyr]

Would this not show up on a battery tester like they do at a auto store? It checked out ok.

It should, but not always. I would check by substitution.

 

[toastybroski]

It should, but not always. I would check by substitution.

The fact that it starts up every time with cables makes me think it's that or the terminals. I will swap batteries with the tundra and see what happens.

 

[TheDurk]

I'd inspect your ground cable for damage. Any bubbling of insulation? When you grounded the starter connection that may have overloaded the ground cable. Terminal connections, too, of course. Does not sound like battery.

 

[toastybroski]

I'd inspect your ground cable for damage. Any bubbling of insulation? When you grounded the starter connection that may have overloaded the ground cable. Terminal connections, too, of course. Does not sound like battery.

What are the signs of damage? Everything looks good to me. How do you replace the negative terminal? It seems that everything on the negative terminal goes down into the harness.

 

[toastybroski]

Here is a pic. Are there any tricks I can do like bypassing something? Honestly that red terminal is kind of a POS so I need to replace it anyways.

edit: I removed the winch and fiddled with the positive contact a bit and it works well now. I hope that was not the issue all along. I tested the voltage at the posts and then tested the voltages where the wires were and it was fluctuating pretty heavily. She is now ready for sale!