2002 electrical problem

[thomasarchibald]

I have a “new” truck with electrical problem. Sometimes battery dies in 12 hours, sometimes 24 hours. The alternator is ok and battery was replaced.

On very dark night, the lights in bottom of gauges (the park, drive light) appears to be on very dimly. It looks like a phosphorescence glow, not a real light.

Removal of fuse 4 in the truck cab (the gauge fuse) causes park/drive light and some of the gauges to go out when truck is turned on. However, the faint glow is still visible.

Removal of fuse 19 (the radio fuse) causes faint light on park/drive to go out, also the speedometer/odometer, gas, heat gauges don’t go on when truck is running.
When 19 is replaced, there is a surge and all gauges peg momentarily.

When gauges are working it is difficult to shift the truck out of park. After you depress the brake, the truck will not shift from park when fuse 19 is in. Physically shaking the cab of the truck will cause the brake to release. When fuse 19 is out, this problem doesn’t occur.

Anyone seen this problem? What can be done?

[rlith]

It's your alternator.... It may be showing ok on a test bench but the test bench doesn't do enough for load testing...(autozone testers are known for this) You lights dimming are a typical sign of this... I would also check the grounds from the battery and the body grounds..

[blazee]

Originally Posted by rlith

It's your alternator.... It may be showing ok on a test bench but the test bench doesn't do enough for load testing...(autozone testers are known for this) You lights dimming are a typical sign of this... I would also check the grounds from the battery and the body grounds..

Read the post closely, the lights aren't dimming, there is a dim light coming from behind the dash. I'm not sure what the problem is, but it doesn't sound like the alternator. It sounds more like a short in circuit 19.

[thomasarchibald]

Originally Posted by blazee

Read the post closely, the lights aren't dimming, there is a dim light coming from behind the dash. I'm not sure what the problem is, but it doesn't sound like the alternator. It sounds more like a short in circuit 19.

Yes. When fuse 19 is out, the battery is fine. I can't understand how it can back feed the light without burning out the fuse. Also I don't think this circuit is supposed to run any of the gauges.

[blazee]

Have you done any work on it recently....any upgrades? new radio? Or had the dash apart for anything?

[thomasarchibald]

Originally Posted by blazee

Have you done any work on it recently....any upgrades? new radio? Or had the dash apart for anything?

Truck was purchased used a month ago. just off lease from Florida. I've done nothing and there is no obvious work on the dash. All the bolts are in place and unmarked. Radio is original. Vin check shows no accidents etc. But, its probably been this way for awhile as dealer thought the alternator was bad. The most puzzling thing is the way the shift won't come out of park when brake in depressed when 19 is in.