Flashing Dash Lights and Battery Drain

[tacojeff]

99 Limited 3.4

I'm having problems with my turn signals crossing into my dash lights. When either turn signal is on, the dash lights dim when the signal lights flash. The clock goes bright to dim, as if the running lights were being turn on and off. If I apply the brakes, the dashlights go almost solid with a slight flicker, as if it minimizes the short. At the same time this problem showed up, the battery also started going dead in about a week of no use.

I theorized it was a short between the turn signal circuit and the circuit that dims the clock/radio and possibly the dash lights. I'm a believer that rarely does something like this happen to a stock rig, so I started tracing back any modifications to the electrical system. Nothing jumped out at me, and I did completely disconnect the trailer wiring because that involved turn signals and brake lights. Other electronics I have added but aren't likely involved (amp/sub, air compressor, electric fan, marker light/turn signal in corner lights)

Also, I checked draw on the battery and it was about a 1/10th of an amp evenly distributed between the various always on circuits (clock, radio power, door locks, dome light)

I'm at a loss as to where to go from here. Any suggestions?

 

[ILRunner98]

Do you mean .1 amp or .01 amp? Because .1 is too much.

 

[IBallEngineer]

99 Limited 3.4

I'm having problems with my turn signals crossing into my dash lights. When either turn signal is on, the dash lights dim when the signal lights flash. The clock goes bright to dim, as if the running lights were being turn on and off. If I apply the brakes, the dashlights go almost solid with a slight flicker, as if it minimizes the short. At the same time this problem showed up, the battery also started going dead in about a week of no use.

I theorized it was a short between the turn signal circuit and the circuit that dims the clock/radio and possibly the dash lights. I'm a believer that rarely does something like this happen to a stock rig, so I started tracing back any modifications to the electrical system. Nothing jumped out at me, and I did completely disconnect the trailer wiring because that involved turn signals and brake lights. Other electronics I have added but aren't likely involved (amp/sub, air compressor, electric fan, marker light/turn signal in corner lights)

Also, I checked draw on the battery and it was about a 1/10th of an amp evenly distributed between the various always on circuits (clock, radio power, door locks, dome light)

I'm at a loss as to where to go from here. Any suggestions?

In 30 + years I've seen dash similar things a few times. Almost always a bulb issue with circuits crossing. Check every bulb involved in the signal circuits, replace with known good if possible.

100 milliamps is technically too much, but you didn't say how fast you are draining your battery. My truck has almost a 300 milliamp draw and I can leave it a week with no problem. Conventional thinking is about 25-30 milliamps is acceptable.

:couch2: