battery drain electrical problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

duke10 · 04-30-2004, 12:12 PM

After not being able to remove my upside down steering wheel,I had my mechanic pull my steering wheel off and turn it right side up, after he did this I was gettin a weird buzz from the horn cap area. I do not have a horn on this truck.
I only drive this truck on Fridays and weekends and last Friday after it had sat all week I jumped in the rig to head to work and had a completely dead battery, no lights, no trying to turn over, no nothing. I replaced the battery and she fired right up. I drove the truck all weekend and this Friday after sitting all week dead battery again. Is it possible there is a horn wire that could be live that would account for the weird noise and the battery drain? I don't know anything about the electrical system. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Scott.

barn9 · 04-30-2004, 12:24 PM

Unplug it at the horn relay. You definately have a live wire problem, and it is more than likely associated with the old horn mechanism.

Old Dave · 04-30-2004, 12:26 PM

Scott:
The problem is the wire that honks your horn under the steering wheel is grounded, this energizes the horn relay and that's what is draining your battery. Since you have no horn you didn't notice it. I'll bet the metal case on the horn relay is hot from being on all the time. It's located on the firewall above your dimmer switch, just unplug it until you get ready to fix your horn and the drain will go away.

Dave

Jeepster376 · 04-30-2004, 12:26 PM

Definately. There is a hot wire in there that is probably shorted. You may not have a horn but you could still have a horn relay, that could be draining the battery, and possibly getting very hot.

I'd get it fixed as soon as possible.

duke10 · 04-30-2004, 12:51 PM

Guys, this is why I love this board. Thank you very much for your responses.

duke10 · 04-30-2004, 05:05 PM

I looked above my dimmer switch and there are several different wires. What does the horn relay look like? Thanks

barn9 · 04-30-2004, 06:53 PM

duke10, not sure what year truck you have, but on my 71 the horn relay is between the fuse block and the base of the steering column, and it is just a small relay box with a metal cover. Like Dave said, it will probably feel hot.

Longhorn Man · 04-30-2004, 07:03 PM

Here you go...look at mine.
See the red and green wire going to the silver box above and to the right of the fuse box?
Unplug that, and don't burn your fingers on it, becouse it will be hot if your battery still has a charge.
Charge up the battery, then run your engine for a while, and your truck should start next week when you return to it.

duke10 · 04-30-2004, 07:54 PM

Guys, thanks again. I found the relay, unplugged it, jumped my truck drove it around and all is good again. The box was really hot so I am almost sure that was the problem. Happy Friday, Scott

04-30-2004, 12:12 PM	#1
duke10 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 833	battery drain electrical problem After not being able to remove my upside down steering wheel,I had my mechanic pull my steering wheel off and turn it right side up, after he did this I was gettin a weird buzz from the horn cap area. I do not have a horn on this truck. I only drive this truck on Fridays and weekends and last Friday after it had sat all week I jumped in the rig to head to work and had a completely dead battery, no lights, no trying to turn over, no nothing. I replaced the battery and she fired right up. I drove the truck all weekend and this Friday after sitting all week dead battery again. Is it possible there is a horn wire that could be live that would account for the weird noise and the battery drain? I don't know anything about the electrical system. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Scott.

04-30-2004, 12:24 PM	#2
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Unplug it at the horn relay. You definately have a live wire problem, and it is more than likely associated with the old horn mechanism. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

04-30-2004, 12:26 PM	#3
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	Scott: The problem is the wire that honks your horn under the steering wheel is grounded, this energizes the horn relay and that's what is draining your battery. Since you have no horn you didn't notice it. I'll bet the metal case on the horn relay is hot from being on all the time. It's located on the firewall above your dimmer switch, just unplug it until you get ready to fix your horn and the drain will go away. Dave __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

04-30-2004, 12:26 PM	#4
Jeepster376 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 269	Definately. There is a hot wire in there that is probably shorted. You may not have a horn but you could still have a horn relay, that could be draining the battery, and possibly getting very hot. I'd get it fixed as soon as possible. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 4x4 SWB

04-30-2004, 06:53 PM	#7
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	duke10, not sure what year truck you have, but on my 71 the horn relay is between the fuse block and the base of the steering column, and it is just a small relay box with a metal cover. Like Dave said, it will probably feel hot. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

04-30-2004, 12:51 PM	#5
duke10 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 833	Guys, this is why I love this board. Thank you very much for your responses.

04-30-2004, 05:05 PM	#6
duke10 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 833	I looked above my dimmer switch and there are several different wires. What does the horn relay look like? Thanks

04-30-2004, 07:03 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Here you go...look at mine. See the red and green wire going to the silver box above and to the right of the fuse box? Unplug that, and don't burn your fingers on it, becouse it will be hot if your battery still has a charge. Charge up the battery, then run your engine for a while, and your truck should start next week when you return to it.

04-30-2004, 07:54 PM	#9
duke10 Active Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 833	Guys, thanks again. I found the relay, unplugged it, jumped my truck drove it around and all is good again. The box was really hot so I am almost sure that was the problem. Happy Friday, Scott



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