Battery Drain
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
The clock will always pull power, along with a newer digital radio if so equipped, but not that much.
A way to track it down is pull a battery cable (either one) and put a test light in between the cable and battery terminal. (If the light is real bright, there's a major drain. If it's real dim, it shouldn't be a worry). Start pulling fuses until the test light goes out or shows really dim. Once you find out what circuit the drain is on, you can track it from there.
Are you experiencing a dead or low battery after sitting?
A way to track it down is pull a battery cable (either one) and put a test light in between the cable and battery terminal. (If the light is real bright, there's a major drain. If it's real dim, it shouldn't be a worry). Start pulling fuses until the test light goes out or shows really dim. Once you find out what circuit the drain is on, you can track it from there.
Are you experiencing a dead or low battery after sitting?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
I have some troubleshooting help here;
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it.
Here are a couple of battery drain troubleshooting pages that might be of some help;
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it. - Picture
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it. - Picture
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it.
Here are a couple of battery drain troubleshooting pages that might be of some help;
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it. - Picture
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it. - Picture
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
The clock will always pull power, along with a newer digital radio if so equipped, but not that much.
A way to track it down is pull a battery cable (either one) and put a test light in between the cable and battery terminal. (If the light is real bright, there's a major drain. If it's real dim, it shouldn't be a worry). Start pulling fuses until the test light goes out or shows really dim. Once you find out what circuit the drain is on, you can track it from there.
Are you experiencing a dead or low battery after sitting?
A way to track it down is pull a battery cable (either one) and put a test light in between the cable and battery terminal. (If the light is real bright, there's a major drain. If it's real dim, it shouldn't be a worry). Start pulling fuses until the test light goes out or shows really dim. Once you find out what circuit the drain is on, you can track it from there.
Are you experiencing a dead or low battery after sitting?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Sometimes systems are incorrectly installed...
Yeah some get pretty worried about the memory in the newer stereo's and the analog clocks. Gotta think of it this way. If you have a battery operated clock...you put a couple AA batteries in it and it goes for 2 or 3 years. It's gonna take a long time to drain a car battery
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
This is true, BUT sometimes stereo systems are incorrectly installed even by specialty shops... my son had a very nice system installed along with an amplifier. If he did not drive everyday or two [tough when you are in the ARMY], the battery would go down. The way the amplifier was wired, it remained energized all the time, even though the unit radio/stereo unit was off.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I have a new motorcraft batt in it. I did the light test,and it checked out ok. Ford wont give me a new battery because it the third one. Will do the fuse test next. I just thought someone had the same problem.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, GA
The light test and fuse test are to be done at the same time. You connect the light...if it shines brightly then you have a drain. Leave the light connected and pull fuses until the light goes out. When it does....you then know what fuse circuit your drain is on.
If you did the light test and there is NO drain....then you have no drain.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
What I would do next is isolate where the power is going. It'll take a bit of time, but it will give you definite results. Pull off the center panel (two screws) and unplug the clock and radio. By doing this, it takes them completely out of the equation.
Then do the light test by the battery again. If it still lights, yes, there's a drain and it's time to pull fuses and check circuits.
If it doesn't, then you have other problems. Time to check connections and grounds.
Have you had the alternator tested in the vehicle?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Ok...I did the amp meter test like it says above, It came up I was draining @ 40 mill amps. So I disconnected the stereo and it looks like that is what was draining the battery..yeah!
thanks a lot to all of you...
thanks a lot to all of you...