Battery keeps draining (HELP)? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sooner1970_K10 · 02-26-2005, 08:53 AM

Ok. I bought the truck and it ran fine for several months. A few months back I put a new Sanyo dual shaft style radio in and it worked for a couple of months and then died. I havent needed the truck for anything and tore the dash back open to try and find out why the radio died. At this time the radio is unplugged from its wiring harness but something is still drawing from the batter. I replaced the battery and the new battery was dead in 2 days time. What exactly am I looking for? Does a hot wire have to be grounded to drain the power? I am just looking for useful tips in how I should go eliminating what is causing me this problem. I am about 95% sure it has to be something I have caused up under the dash. However around the same time the problem started I had also reconnected the tail light wiring that had come disconnected at the firewall and also cut out an aftermarket camper plug that had been mangled all to hell.

RON WOODGEARD · 02-26-2005, 09:04 AM

Do a search..... There is many good things written about this subject...

franko72 · 02-26-2005, 09:04 AM

Its a short for sure, Start by pulling the fuses one at a time and checking each circuit .My guess is the camper connection wiring has the problem. Your radio probably is not the problem.Double check all the conections that you made or changed first for good make ups.What kind of connection was the camper connection? inside lights or running lights?

da-burb · 02-26-2005, 09:18 AM

Does the horn work? This is the first place I start. Every truck I have had that didn't start after sitting 2-3 days has been the horn relay. It is located on the firewall just above the column, dark green wires I beleive. If your horn does work then that isn't the problem. The second place for a short is the tailight harness. The problem with that is there usually isn't a hot wire that is always on.

Sooner1970_K10 · 02-26-2005, 11:14 AM

I checked the horn first. About the first 5 times i pressed the horn button I heard a clicking noise coming from the horn relay, then it magicaly started honking. If the relay was stuck would I have heard it switching and if it had been stuck what are the possibilities that it was the cuplrit that drained my battery?

02-26-2005, 08:53 AM	#1
Sooner1970_K10 1970 K10, 350, 4spd! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 128	Battery keeps draining (HELP)? Ok. I bought the truck and it ran fine for several months. A few months back I put a new Sanyo dual shaft style radio in and it worked for a couple of months and then died. I havent needed the truck for anything and tore the dash back open to try and find out why the radio died. At this time the radio is unplugged from its wiring harness but something is still drawing from the batter. I replaced the battery and the new battery was dead in 2 days time. What exactly am I looking for? Does a hot wire have to be grounded to drain the power? I am just looking for useful tips in how I should go eliminating what is causing me this problem. I am about 95% sure it has to be something I have caused up under the dash. However around the same time the problem started I had also reconnected the tail light wiring that had come disconnected at the firewall and also cut out an aftermarket camper plug that had been mangled all to hell.

02-26-2005, 09:04 AM	#3
franko72 Franko72 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Posts: 471	Its a short for sure, Start by pulling the fuses one at a time and checking each circuit .My guess is the camper connection wiring has the problem. Your radio probably is not the problem.Double check all the conections that you made or changed first for good make ups.What kind of connection was the camper connection? inside lights or running lights? __________________ 1972 C20 cheyenne Super 402 BB/400 turbo LWB A/C Tilt, Cruise Control, Saddle tanks, Tach My Home Page Better to burn out than it is to rust

02-26-2005, 09:18 AM	#4
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Does the horn work? This is the first place I start. Every truck I have had that didn't start after sitting 2-3 days has been the horn relay. It is located on the firewall just above the column, dark green wires I beleive. If your horn does work then that isn't the problem. The second place for a short is the tailight harness. The problem with that is there usually isn't a hot wire that is always on. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

02-26-2005, 09:04 AM	#2
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Do a search..... There is many good things written about this subject...

02-26-2005, 11:14 AM	#5
Sooner1970_K10 1970 K10, 350, 4spd! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 128	I checked the horn first. About the first 5 times i pressed the horn button I heard a clicking noise coming from the horn relay, then it magicaly started honking. If the relay was stuck would I have heard it switching and if it had been stuck what are the possibilities that it was the cuplrit that drained my battery?



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