no ignition switch power

[Lance]

My 2005 E-350 V-10 has no response when I turn on ignition. I was removing outlets and switches from old cabinets I will replace. I unhooked the wires to the radio selector switch (van or house battery) forgetting I was listening to radio. Radio stopped of course and when I reattached wires, the radio would play for 15 seconds then shut off, then turn on, then off, so on. I got out volt meter to figure out which wires were which and then everything died. The door locks twitched and the tach twitched then stopped. I tried to engage starter but nothing happens when key is on, no gauge movement or signs of life. There wasn't any spark or noise when I was messing with selector switch. The key chime still works. I must have blown a fuse? I checked some of the likely ones in foot well but ok. Seems like a big one. Any ideas? I really did it this time..... thanks Lance

[Beasty Boy]

Do you have an alarm system? If you do you gotta disconnect the batteries to default it.
Happened to my GENIUS mechanic on my van and it worked.

Good luck to ya

[arctictraveller]

I'd start with the basics. What's the voltage at the battery? What's the voltage at the other end of the positive battery cable? Corrosion at the terminals can cause excessive resistance. How much voltage drop is there at the fuse box? Ground one end of your meter lead, (verify it's well grounded by touching the + battery terminal)then touch both sides of each fuse with the red lead (you can access them at the top of the blade fuse where the metal is slightly exposed) You should get the same voltage on each side of the fuse. From there, I think you need a wiring diagram to determine what feeds all your accessorys. Good luck.

[carringb]

Those are all symptoms of low battery voltage...

[Lance]

Wow, thanks guys. It could be a low battery, I'll check. Van's been sitting for a spell while I've worked on it and solar is unhooked and radio on. I just bought van last winter don't know how old battery is. That would be sweet. I'll let you know. Lance ps no alarm system

[Lance]

All better! Put the charger on and everything is fine. Weird how the battery reached the point of discharge at the same time I was messing with the wires. A good weird, though. Thanks for the quick response. By the way, as I was removing the trim piece along top of the wall plywood today I found a golf club inside! A 4 iron. Very strange. thanks again Lance

[Beasty Boy]

Glad all is good Electrical Gremlins 4!!!!!!!!!