Ignition switch switch draining battery

[Kevbz]

Looking for a confirmation that this is my problem.

Couple of weeks ago I parked the truck and when I turned it off the, key cylinder was not as "crisp" as it always is coming from RUN to ACC to OFF. Felt like it was in a bind. When I went to go start the truck I had to really turn it really hard to get the starter circuit to engage.

My original thought was the key cylinder was messed up, but now when the truck is off my battery is being drained. This has me thinking that the rod and slide in the ignition switch might have been the culprit. The key cylinder had freed up and turns from OFF to ACC fine, but you really have to put pressure to get it to start.

The fact that the battery is draining leads me to believe that the switch is not completely disengaging (rod is not sliding the contacts back) causing an ACC power draw.

Any one have thoughts? I'm going to replace the ignition switch and hold off on the key cylinder.

 

[Matt69olds]

I had a similar issue on a 85 Cutlass I had years ago, tuned out the rack was cracked. Assuming your truck has a tilt column, the standard columns have a different design.

 

[Matt69olds]

MY ignition rack was cracked in the circled srea

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[Kevbz]

I do have tilt, so you had a battery drain with a cracked lock cylinder rack?

 

[Matt69olds]

No, I had the same issue of hard to turn the key to crank position. I suppose if the rack is cracked, when you turn the key back it may keep some electrical circuits powered.

 

[Snoots]

Get the following:

Beer
12v bulb
short length of small gauge wire
buddy

Connect the wire to one side of the bulb.
Disconnect the NEGATIVE side of the battery.
Touch one side of the bulb to the battery,
touch the wire of the bulb to the Negative wire you removed from the battery.

If the bulb has even the smallest glow...you've got a draw.
ONE AT A TIME remove a fuse from the fuse block.
When the bulb stops glowing, you've found the circuit that's causing the drain.

Drink beer with buddy.

Troubleshoot that circuit.
Sure takes a lot of guess work and wasted time out of the way.

 

[idahovette]

Roger it takes a LOT of beer for me to diagnose electricity!!

 

[Camatruder]

Be carefull, my ignition switch caught on fire a couple of weeks ago. I was only able to stop the fire by pulling one of the battery cables. Just shutting down the engine and pulling the key was not enough. Apperently the switch was so worn that the metal glider got in contact with a constant +.

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[idahovette]

Wow, quick thinking!! Lucky guy!!

 

[Snoots]

Wow, quick thinking!! Lucky guy!!

Damn right! Sorry to hear that happen but glad to hear you saved it (and yourself)! This Bud's for you!

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