HELP!!! Replaced glow plugs, now no juice!

[Woodturner Nate]

So I spent the better part of the afternoon today replacing the glow plugs in my '96eclb. I did not replace the harnesses; maybe I should have. Anyway, after I finished putting everything back, I had no power to start it--it was like the batteries were dead or something. There was a slight whirr of something, NOT like a starter gear was gone or anything, but I find it very suspicious that it happened right after replacing the plugs. I checked and re-checked all the harnesses to make certain I didn't leave anything undone. Nothing. I put a charger on the (only slightly) older of the two batteries for a couple hours, then about 3-4 seconds of cranking, then nothing. WTF!! The charger says that both batteries are at full charge now, and nothing happens.

The only thing I notice funny is that the relay smells a bit after cycling the plugs. I should've done that at the same time, but the local parts shop wants $65 for just the relay. I thought I'd just do the plugs first. Are the new plugs drawing so much more current that they are draining the voltage??

I'm more than a bit frustrated, and don't know where to go from here. I'm going to try and jump it with a (teeny weeny little Tacoma) Toyota tomorrow after leaving the charger on trickle charge all night.

[Patrick Feeley]

Have the batteries checked independently from one another (cables disconnected from both). If one battery is bad, replace both! Check all battery cable ends (both ends) to make sure they are clean and tight. Check all your underhood fuses. Cheers!

[madpogue]

Disconnect the big wire to the glow plug relay, the one that comes from the starter relay junction. Then see if it cranks at least.

Did you have the batteries disconnected while you were installing the glow plugs?

[Woodturner Nate]

All fixed.

The power wire to the starter was loose. Turns out, the washer between the wire and the bolt had corroded away, letting the power wire harness move about 1/8" back and forth. There was enough grease down there to let it keep from contacting if it was in just the right spot. All better now, grease and corrosion cleaned off. Powerstroke happy, less smoke on startup too.