Did an oil change, went to start the truck again and it would not start. When I turned the key the fuel pump primed, all lights came on, radio came on and then when I went crank it over and start the truck I heard one click and everything electrical shut off. Put the key back in and nothing, no power at all. So I wait a couple minutes and try again, same thing, all
lights come on, fuel pump primes, go to crank it over and everything electrical shuts off. I wait a couple minutes, try again and have the same results, lights come on everything seems good then go to crank and it’s dead. The battery is good and has a full charge and I have also tried jumping it. I also cleaned the battery terminals and the ground to the frame and the chassis, no change in my results. Does anyone know why this might be happening? The truck was running solid until this happened out of the blue yesterday.

 

Sounds like an electrical issue. Now then likely under the hood somewhere

 

Check the battery terminals/connections. Probably dirty.

 

Cleaned terminals, clamps, frame ground and chassis ground with a wire brush on a Dremel and then applied dielectric grease before attaching again. No change.

 

Follow the main power feeds then, check/clean all of them.

 

When its dead have you tried leaving the key in the on position and moving the battery cables to see it dash powers up again?

 

check starter wires ,

 

My Dakota done the same thing turns out the little ground strap where it goes into the starter was broke inside

 

did you discover the issue ?

 

Yes, turns out the wires going into the battery clamps did not have a good connection. I tested the terminals and then the wires coming out of the battery posts multiple times and was getting good voltage. Eventually one time I tried I had no voltage on the wires but still voltage on the posts. Replaced the clamps and the truck fired right up.