64 c20 keeps dying

[rudyyloverboiii]

my truck seems to be getting drained somehow. I have replaced all wiring and grounds. I have air ride in it and it is currently disconnected due to me not having an off or on switch. My question is if my ignition is not working and im jumping the starter with a toggle switch, can that be a cause to drain even if the key is off and my compressor is not hooked up? Every time I get my battery charged the truck turns on and off no problem. By the 2nd day its drained.

[Moose Monkey]

Need a little more info please. Photos, age of battery, charging rate, what wiring was replaced. What was done just before this problem came up. Alt or generator? Have you taken the battery cable off overnight? Over rated radio equipment? With some of this info, others might be able to help out better. Thank you

[rudyyloverboiii]

I will try to get photos. Baterry was 1 year old took it to autozone thursday and it was 100% charged but they told me it was fried.

The wiring that was replaced was the front lights, the engine bay (which i took the generator out of my 292 and added an alternator) under dash lights, fuse panel, and tail light harness. I added air ride so wiring for my compressor which is not hooked up yet.

no radio and the battery is disconected over night

The new battery I got i disconnected the jumper i have for the starter and turn the key to on position and jump it with a screwdriver and it turns on. I have done this for the last 2 days and my battery seems ok

[Moose Monkey]

That's good news that she is running. Question. Charging rate when running? And you have to jump starter? Bad key switch or is it the neutral switch??? Get out your test light.

[Moose Monkey]

The wiring for your truck is in this same area

[VetteVet]

Here are the diagrams for the stock 64 harness. The first is the engine side and notice that the main junction is the horn relay located on the radiator support.

Your in dash diagram will depend on whether you have the ammeter or the charging light dash.


The first diagram is for the engine side.
The second diagram is for the charging light with two temperature lights. One hot and one cold.

The third diagram is for the ammeter.
The forth diagram is a better drawing of the engine side.

The last two are the stock 64 diagrams.









This is a better drawing of the dash with gauges.

[Moose Monkey]

Thank you, Vette, you have the best info.

[rudyyloverboiii]

runs if i jump it with a screwdriver. The key itself wont turn the engine on. Like im not getting 12 volts to the the key for some reason. I also bought a new key switch and lock cylinder and still nothing. No neutral safety switch. I guess I will have to invest in a test light

[Moose Monkey]

Vette left you the diagram of your truck. Thank you again,Vette. Red wire should 12volt live without key on . if it is, purple turns 1 2 volt live when you try to start truck. A old 12 volt light that has wires that are connected to it can be used. Test it on battery first so you know it works. Chances are red wire is ok if you are turning key on , and jumping the starter. That same light can help you find the short the is pulling your battery down. Lets get the truck to start by key first, then work on short.