New battery, now van won't start!?

Question

Actually, there's ZERO juice going through.

My battery got stolen the other night, I bought a new one, van started and drove perfectly about 20 blocks. I parked it, shut it off, and seconds later tried to restart.......There's NOTHING going through the cables now.
Even attempting to jump it wouldn't get power to dome lights, ignition lights, nothing.

What could have fouled up so bad by simply putting a new battery in?

Now, I know that it's not an alternator or starter problem, as there is really NO power getting through.

What's between the battery and everything else that could possibly be blocking all power to the van?

All thoughts much appreciated!

Please note that nothing comes through when connected to another car's battery, and the terminals are clean as a whistle. Thnx!

Answer 1

If your battery is good and your connections are tight then it sounds like you either blew or knocked loose a fusible link. That will kill the power. It's there so that if you get a dead short in the alternator or the starter, your wiring doesn't catch on fire. It's looks like a wire but acts like a fuse. Usually by the battery or down by the starter. They are rated in different values just like a fuse so you need to get the right one. You can check it with a voltmeter and a service manual should tell you where it is but I'm assuming you don't know how to use one or you would have already found it because all you really need to do is follow the twelve volt line.
Also, some newer vehicles have a huge fuse instead of a fusible link, usually in a box under the hood called an electrical center.
The other things could be a security system or an ignition switch but can't really go much further on the info you gave right now. Good luck.
BTW, if I were you I would find a car forum for your vehicle and post a message there. This is a pretty simple problem to track down but a couple of questions may need to be asked. Also too many people in here have no idea what they are talking about but will answer anyway which renders Yahoo Answers useless.

Answer 2

Inspect the cable ends for corrosion and tightness.You can clean these connections using a mix of baking soda and water.About a tablespoon in an average size glass.I do not know what kind of vehicle you have.But some have an extra wire coming off the ground cable at battery end and is attached directly to the fender well as an added ground..See if it has come loose and lost its' connection.Also check for a fusible link.Although highly impossible.It may have blown.Be sure battery is at full charge.If it is a used battery, perhaps it got to the point where it will not hold a charge.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if you bought a new battery or a used one but with those symptoms, the first thing to check are the contacts/ connectors for the battery. Dirty or corroded contacts are often the cause of intermittent battery problems. Just use a wire brush to clean the battery contacts and the connectors on the cables. If that doesn't fix the problem, you have to troubleshoot further.

Answer 4

If there is not juice going through the battery even if another car is hooked up, then it is more than likely that you blew the battery fuse somehow. This is located in the fuse block underneath your hood. Look at the diagram on the cover, it will say something like "BAT" or "BATT" and might be a high amp fuse like 80A or something.

Answer 5

try cleaning the battery terminals or posts and cable ends, a can of coca-cola works great. If that doesnt work it is possible you have a short in the electrical system.

Answer 6

make sure no wires got pushed into the fan or a belt, or got pushed down on the exhaust while installing the new battery. you might have a broken connection. good luck

Answer 7

Check your connections, they might have oxidized... also, you might have to recharge the battry fully