01 7.3 Electrical HELP!!??

[Dieselinfool606]

Ive got an 01 7.3. When i turn the key off and take it out the radio lights will flash on and off until the batteries go dead. My wife also said sometimes the dome light will just come on by itself also when the keys are out. The batteries were bought in December of last year and they are interstate batteries. What would make this thing do this. I'm starting to think its haunted. I need this fixed asap because i drag race and i only drive this truck to the track only on the weekends and i cant be having it go dead on me all the time. Ive had to have AAA come jump me twice in 2 weeks and its getting old. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Dieselinfool606]

anyone??? i really need some help with this quick

[eagledieselmedic]

I've heard the wire harness under the driver step board can become worn and cause shorts.

Check the starter solenoid on the right front fender. This ties the batteries to the ingnition switch and if it stickes closed power could stay on.

Only other place I would think to look would be the ignition itself.

[pontiac]

Mine did a very similar routine. It was weird, seemed like the radio only did that if I had the Radio on when I shut it off. My alternator was not always charging the batteries. Check your batteries voltage to see if you have a full 12 volts with a volt meter. It turned out that my alternator's rectifier was going bad, and not always charging. Had it rebuilt at a local shop, and it is working great. The thing I remember most was trying to start it...the whole dash seemed possessed....The speedometer, tach and lights all went crazy.