Hi fellas. So having this issue on my father in laws 03 ram.

I found the original ignition starter switch was bad in the off detent. The one contact inside was worn out and burnt so we figured it was that but no.

All fuses in the distribution box are hot even with the ignition off and the key out.

We have had a couple electrical issues on this truck have had to replace a couple pins on the pdc connectors due to corrosion.

Is it possible the main power coming from the battery on the left side of the pdc is shorting across inside the pdc and giving us this hot at all times condition. It kills a battery in a few minutes pretty much.

The interior stuff doesn't seem to work when the ignition is in the off pos so the ignition switch is working now.

Right now he is having to remove the negative battery cable every time he is done using the truck.

If we cat figure it out o was thinking of wiring in a kill switch in either the pos or negative cable and running into the cab so he doesn't have to unhook the battery every time.

This truck has been a nightmare for years. And he can't afford anything new.

 

The kill switch would have to be pretty stout to handle the current. How much current is drawn when the key is off? Should be somewhere around 1/4 amp. Start pulling fuses until you find the heavy draw.

 

Its also possible that a relay has fused together. The tops of the relays can be pulled off to check them, but as Mike said above, pull the fuses first, figure out which system is causing the problem

 

the way I have always found power drains was pulling fuses, then waiting a few an watching the fuse arc when it was reconnected, then id trace all the wires to that fuse.

 

Thanks guys will try all that. Is a 10A checker on a voltmeter enough?

 

Many systems draw more than 10A. Nothing should draw that much with the key off, though. Make sure the right size fuse is in the meter.

 

Looks like his battery is toast. Charged it to 13.3v and it dropped to 10v within a day or so. Unhooked from the truck.