The truck was off for hours and suddenly the front and side marker lights turn on?

Tiny
SPGRIPSIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET 3500
  • 7.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
Truck is off for hours and suddenly the front and side marker lights, the rear taillights, the instrument cluster lights, the 4wd indicator lights, as well as the buzzer/chime with door closed turn on and stay on. The doors also locked themselves. They all shut off when I removed fuse #3 from fuse box at the end of dash. The owner's manual says fuse #3 is for Courtesy lamps, Cargo lamp, Glove box lamp, Dome reading lights, Vanity mirrors and Power mirrors. When fuse #3 is replaced, everything stays off for a few hours, and then turns on again. Now with Fuse #3 out, just the dome lamp and courtesy lamps come on with the door closed and truck off. I noticed that Circuit Breaker A was extremely hot (Power door lock, 6-way power seat, Keyless entry module). Could it be a bad relay, and which one would that be? Am I having a wiring meltdown behind the fuse box? I haven't been able to find a bad ground and the fuse and breaker do not blow, at least there is still continuity through them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 6:19 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Yep, with Circuit Breaker A is getting hot that shows a short, is there an aftermarket alarm system on this truck if so I would remove it and reconnect the wires normally, also check the door locks/ seat control switch because one of the switched may be stuck in the lock or up position or the seat adjustment begin all the way back or forward. See if you can pull the wires around behind the fuse panel to see if that makes a difference. Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
SPGRIPSIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
There is no aftermarket alarm installed. I jiggled wires and heard clicking from what sounds like a really behind the middle of dash. Put a new battery in key fob and it tries to move door lock on drivers' side only, but will not fully lock or unlock. I can manually lock or unlock either side, but sometimes relocks itself. The power lock switch on either door doesn't make a sound or move the manual lock. I did discover a disconnected yellow wire with spade connector from Trailer brake controller, but don't think it is the problem as it is not touching anything. Still trying to figure it out.
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It must be bad wiring because nothing really connects all of these systems together. Here are the circuit breaker wiring diagrams and the exterior wiring as well so you can see. Can you see any rodent damage?
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
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No signs of rodent damage yet. Thanks for the wiring diagrams and schematics, I think they will be very helpful. I can follow them, but not my strong suit. I'm pretty far out and my local mechanic doesn't want to touch this. Looks like I got a project for the weekend. I will keep you posted. Thank you for your help.
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Please let me know what you find.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2023 AT 10:00 AM

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