I just bought this 95 blazer 4WD and I've put maybe 30 miles on it. I was driving to work this morning and suddenly the batter light in the dash came on. Seconds later the check gauges light came on and when I looked down all my gauges had failed. Then I realized I could no longer accelerate and after tapping the brake once the pedal became rock solid and I had to coast to halt. I turned the engine off (I think it was still on, I kind of panicked and wasnt paying attention. It may have stalled out) and it started up again with no issues. I drove it home from work this evening without further incident. What could be causing this?

 

If you bought it private see if you can wheasle an answer if the person ever had this happen before. Could just be the start of ign. switch going not a monster.

 

I had something similar happen to me..was actually just a bad negative battery connector.

 

Previous owner insists that it has never happened before. I was told already by two others about the negative battery connector/ ground wire issue. Same thing happened today, and in the same spot on the road. Right after a very steep short hill. Im wondering of the battery (which appears to be less than secure in its spot) is pushing on a cable and disturbing it when it hits an incline. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Good thinking.. you're halfway to fixing it! Maybe not in time or effort but you have the right mindset.

You know.. rather than point out step by step what to do, let's put it another way.
Suppose your computer just died then came right back on and a lamp next to it flickered. How would you find and fix that problem?
Same way a senior electrical engineer would. Follow the wires and do a touch wiggle pull test. He would not bother breaking out the meter and a logging voltage graph.

And you could do that in your driveway with the engine running in park... without waiting for someone to suggest it.
Now because I am an engineer by training I do try to find the problem area - what CAUSED it - before I break out the wire brush and wrenches so I know why and how. Maybe you arent that curious.

 

Your battery should be anchored securely. If not it very easily could be causing the issues you are talking about if the battery connection is lose. The battery hold down should be a wedge shaped piece of hard rubber with a bolt through it located on the back (terminal side) side of the battery. The front side is secured by a lip on the battery tray.

 

Note: The battery moving around may cause or contribute to either a loose connection at the battery terminal or at the wire conductor to the terminal.. which would be hidden.. fastening down the battery will not fix it.

 

What did you find as the solution to your problem? I have a friend experiencing the exact same issue.