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Old 08-23-2019, 11:15 AM   #1
bosstime2
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Default Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

6volt positive ground set up. Turn signal switch is drawing current with key off. Switch bad? Bad ground? What should I be looking for? Thanks
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Old 08-23-2019, 11:54 AM   #2
Keith True
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

If you have a stock ignition system the key should have no effect on the power to the turn signal switch.All the ignition switch does is to send the juice to ground,through the points.Is this actually pulling the battery down when parked? I ask this because a few years ago I talked to a man that thought he had a draw because his signal switch had power with the ignition turned off.He just didn't realize his ignition switch did not feed anything.
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Old 08-23-2019, 12:09 PM   #3
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

Power to the turn signal switch goes from the starter with an in-line fuse
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Old 08-23-2019, 12:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

How much current draw are we talking about? What shows on the ammeter?
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Old 08-23-2019, 01:18 PM   #5
Keith True
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

Well that narrowed it down a lot.With a direct line from the battery cable to the switch there won't be any draw through the ammeter.Also,look at a signal switch wiring diagram.Your power should be going to the flasher first,not to the switch.At least,that's how it's been done with universal switches for years.If it has power feeding the P wire on the switch,I believe it can do what yours is doing.P means pilot,not power.
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Old 08-23-2019, 01:27 PM   #6
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

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Keith thank you! I’ll check it out when I get home
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Old 08-23-2019, 01:29 PM   #7
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

And the reason I know there is a draw is because the turn signal switch light stays on when it’s in a neutral position
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Old 08-23-2019, 03:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

All the more reason to suspect that you have power going to the P (pilot.)
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Old 08-24-2019, 12:26 PM   #9
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

Quote:
Originally Posted by bosstime2 View Post
And the reason I know there is a draw is because the turn signal switch light stays on when it’s in a neutral position
Tells me there's a short inside the TS switch. The pilot light should be disconnected from the flasher in the center position. Open it up and see if you can pull the wires away from the contacts at the bottom.
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Old 08-24-2019, 08:14 PM   #10
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Default Re: Parasitic draw at turn signal on column

Make sure the TS signal switch body is grounded. You might have an open ground.
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