Battery Drain Issue! Please help!!

[sevewparadise]

Hey Folks,

 

I need some help with a problem that has been going on now for about 2 months. First off my truck is a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Reg Cab 2WD 4.3l Base Model. This truck has no fancy bells or whistles. I have replaced battery, plugs, wires, cap and button in the past year.

 

My Problem:

 

If the truck sits for 24 hours the battery is dead. The theift deterant light is on faintly on the dash and the steering wheel no longer locks. I have been doing alot of reading and some folk say this could be an ignition switch problem. But could also be a bad ground or a short somewhere.

 

Any help would be greatly apprechiated!! Thanks

[dewfpo]

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery, now take a DVOM (Digital Voltmeter) and connect one lead to the battery and the other lead to the cable you just removed. Set the DVOM to read milli-amps and see what the reading is. It should be in the .030 to .040 range. If it is much higher than that, start pulling your fuses one at a time and see if you can find which circuit has the big draw.

 

DEWFPO

[sevewparadise]

I am picking up a Multimeter in the morning and I will report back my results. Thanks for the reply

[ChevyTech77]

Make sure your transmission shift cable is adjusted correctly. If so, it needs an ignition switch, if the lock cylinder is not binding and allowing itself to return to the fully locked position.

[sevewparadise]

Does the ignition switch lock the steering wheel? If the switch is bad will it cause the theift light to come on?? The theift light stays on with the key out of the ignition also

[sevewparadise]

Anyone?? Does the ignition switch lock the steering wheel??

[sevewparadise]

Just check the draw on the battery. Its reading 1.26 amps! Never took any fuses out cause its too dam cold here to be outside.

[sevewparadise]

After lots of time reading forums online, I think my problem is one of three things:

1- Ignition Switch

2- Ignition Lock Housing

3- BCM

 

Any ideas?

[AirForceAngler]

_{Start with the ignition switch.}

[sevewparadise]

Will the draw on the battery remain the same while pulling fuses if the ignition switch is the problem???

[sevewparadise]

Changed the switch and still the same problem!!!

[dewfpo]

Did you check the draw on the battery with a DVOM? What were the results? If you had a large draw did you pull each fuse and check to see where the draw was?

 

DEWFPO

[sevewparadise]

Another Question:

 

If my BCM was bad would my truck still run perfect? I pulled a bunch of fuses and the draw stayed the same. I am wondering if its the passlock sensor in the lock cylinder housing?

[tesnoboy]

Another Question:

 

If my BCM was bad would my truck still run perfect? I pulled a bunch of fuses and the draw stayed the same. I am wondering if its the passlock sensor in the lock cylinder housing?

 

How many fuses? You realize there is another big fusebox under the hood? Does the Security light flash? Does the engine immediately stall after starting which is what the system does when it shuts off the fuel rail. You really need to go to a Dealer to get it scanned with a Tech 2 to see if there are any codes. I know the dealer is a pain, but it sounds like you are in over your head on this.

[sevewparadise]

Yes dude I know there are two fuse boxes! How does it sound like I am in over my head??? I just replaced the ignition switch in about 25 mins!!! Im asking questions so I can pin-point a problem. Im not looking for smart ass answers

 

For those who would like to help:

 

The light is not flashing, it is on solid. It remains solid with the key in and out and with the truck running. Truck starts fine and drives fine but if i leave the truck for a day the battery is dead.