2002 Chevy Astro Wiring Issues-Please Help

[seventieschild]

I'm unemployed and trying to start over so I bought a used Astro and 3 days later I'm having wiring issues. I have posted before in this section and I thank you all for your replies.
My battery keeps draining so I used a 12 volt test light in series with the negative on the battery and the ground (disconnected) The hot is still on the battery. I get a draw through a 10 amp fuse under the driver's side that is marked " radio batt". It has a hot direct from the battery to the radio and instument cluster. I checked ALL the fuses including under the hood and there is no amp draw except through the "radio batt " fuse.

When I pull the fuse the test light goes out however I lose power to my PRNDL light, gas gauge and speedometer. Also the flasher relay buzzes like a chainsaw when I removed the fuse. I replaced the flasher relay with no luck. What could it be that is creating a draw here? There seems to be nothing on or working yet when I place the probe on the ground cable and the clip on the negative terminal I get a light until I pull the radio batt fuse. Thanks...

[gmtech1]

Originally Posted by seventieschild

I'm unemployed and trying to start over so I bought a used Astro and 3 days later I'm having wiring issues. I have posted before in this section and I thank you all for your replies.
My battery keeps draining so I used a 12 volt test light in series with the negative on the battery and the ground (disconnected) The hot is still on the battery. I get a draw through a 10 amp fuse under the driver's side that is marked " radio batt". It has a hot direct from the battery to the radio and instument cluster. I checked ALL the fuses including under the hood and there is no amp draw except through the "radio batt " fuse.

When I pull the fuse the test light goes out however I lose power to my PRNDL light, gas gauge and speedometer. Also the flasher relay buzzes like a chainsaw when I removed the fuse. I replaced the flasher relay with no luck. What could it be that is creating a draw here? There seems to be nothing on or working yet when I place the probe on the ground cable and the clip on the negative terminal I get a light until I pull the radio batt fuse. Thanks...

The Radio/Batt fuse supplies power to the IPC and the Radio. Not sure of the connection with the flasher. You could unplug the cluster and radio one at a time and see when the light turns off. Is the test lamp bright or dim? I imagine a small amount of current draw from the radio is probably normal, I'm talking milliamps. My best guess is something in the radio is causing the draw.

[seventieschild]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

The Radio/Batt fuse supplies power to the IPC and the Radio. Not sure of the connection with the flasher. You could unplug the cluster and radio one at a time and see when the light turns off. Is the test lamp bright or dim? I imagine a small amount of current draw from the radio is probably normal, I'm talking milliamps. My best guess is something in the radio is causing the draw.

I did disconnect the radio and still a draw. I have not tried the ipc yet. Funny, there is nothing on in the panel. What could be causing a draw?

[Truck]

The Anti-Theft is run through the radio. Check your owner's manual. There will be instructions how to turn it on/off. (Mine does the same thing.)

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by Truck

The Anti-Theft is run through the radio. Check your owner's manual. There will be instructions how to turn it on/off. (Mine does the same thing.)

I have an 02 and had these (and every other kind) of issue. This is what my problem was which may not apply but thought I would pass it on. The main connection (red wire) on my starter kinda melted loose and created havoc in my electrical system. Like you, I was checking this and that--tracing wires and found this strictly by accident because the van would still start. After changing my alternator with a new one and throwing my jackstands 30 feet down the driveway, I noticed this connection wiggled which wasn't supposed to... Long story short, changed the starter and everything went back to normal--All test lights, fuses, testers back into the tool box to await my next issue.