lose of battery power 1990 F150 302
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12-10-2002, 06:49 AM
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12-10-2002, 11:26 AM
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lose of battery power 1990 F150 302
Have you had your alternator checked?
You may have something in your electrical system that is slowly draining power when the key is off. Have you added anything to the truck lately, maybe a stereo? Make sure it's not something easy like the dome light is on or something like that. You can disconnect one of the battery cables and put an ammeter (not a volt-meter) in line between the battery and cable to check how much current is being drawn from the battery. The reading should be virtually zero. If you get a reading much higher than that, you can start pulling fuses one at a time until the reading goes to zero. That way you can at least narrow down the problem. Remember, if you have the door open to get to the fuse panel you will have a current draw for the interior lights. It's easier with two people if you can round up a helper.
You may have something in your electrical system that is slowly draining power when the key is off. Have you added anything to the truck lately, maybe a stereo? Make sure it's not something easy like the dome light is on or something like that. You can disconnect one of the battery cables and put an ammeter (not a volt-meter) in line between the battery and cable to check how much current is being drawn from the battery. The reading should be virtually zero. If you get a reading much higher than that, you can start pulling fuses one at a time until the reading goes to zero. That way you can at least narrow down the problem. Remember, if you have the door open to get to the fuse panel you will have a current draw for the interior lights. It's easier with two people if you can round up a helper.
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12-10-2002, 12:24 PM
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lose of battery power 1990 F150 302
>I replaced the batteryon my pick up and ever since if the
>truck sits idle for a couple of weeks the battery goes dead.
>Does anyone have any idea why?
Lumberguy
I had the same problem with my 96 F150. Only mine was already draining the battery in 5 hours! Took it to Ford, and after they looked for 4 hours they said it may be in the add ons I put in myself(pw/pl,stereo,remote start,foglights,pseat). Giving up on the technicians whom I'm sure simply pluged in their diagnostic tool, I tried to research it myself. What I determined was NOTHING. I began to pull fuses with an ammeter on the disconnected cable, when I pulled one fuse(can't remember which one) the current draw dissapeared! But replacing that fuse did not return the draw. Only after replacing a handful did it come back. In the end I had ripped out every fuse, wire I attached and link I could think of and upon giving up and replacing them, fixed it. Don't know how, or why. My suggestion is start pulling fuses, all of them, and try anything! Its a tricky one to find. Good Luck
You can do it!
Eli
>truck sits idle for a couple of weeks the battery goes dead.
>Does anyone have any idea why?
Lumberguy
I had the same problem with my 96 F150. Only mine was already draining the battery in 5 hours! Took it to Ford, and after they looked for 4 hours they said it may be in the add ons I put in myself(pw/pl,stereo,remote start,foglights,pseat). Giving up on the technicians whom I'm sure simply pluged in their diagnostic tool, I tried to research it myself. What I determined was NOTHING. I began to pull fuses with an ammeter on the disconnected cable, when I pulled one fuse(can't remember which one) the current draw dissapeared! But replacing that fuse did not return the draw. Only after replacing a handful did it come back. In the end I had ripped out every fuse, wire I attached and link I could think of and upon giving up and replacing them, fixed it. Don't know how, or why. My suggestion is start pulling fuses, all of them, and try anything! Its a tricky one to find. Good Luck
You can do it!Eli
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12-10-2002, 01:25 PM
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