Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Battery Drain Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 04:07 PM
  #16  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
The big dome nut on the side adjusts sector shaft end play. It's no miracle cure for worn parts, only for worn thrust surfaces on the sector. Have someone saw the wheel back and forth while you watch the pitman arm. If you can see it moving fore/aft or up/down, try adjusting the nut per the manual. Don't just crank down on it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 04:20 PM
  #17  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Your Right! I did feel like a drunk nut trying to saw on the wheel through the "S" curve part of it. I was wondering if the school bus driver that got behind me was going to report a drunk driver on my street.
The speedometer must work because the mileage was 308.4 when I started now it says 309.3.
I am patient so I haven't worried about the bumper. Other than getting it painted,a real exhaust other than flex pipe, and the bed wood installed. The bumper is the last major piece of the puzzle. Ever closer each day.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 04:33 PM
  #18  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Will do. Right now it has about what feels like 4" of play.
I have gotten so use today's square cars that it was wierd looking across that curved hood and not seeing the egde of the fenders so it could be more me than anything else. it gave it a dog tracking feel to me.





Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
The big dome nut on the side adjusts sector shaft end play. It's no miracle cure for worn parts, only for worn thrust surfaces on the sector. Have someone saw the wheel back and forth while you watch the pitman arm. If you can see it moving fore/aft or up/down, try adjusting the nut per the manual. Don't just crank down on it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 05:50 PM
  #19  
Jolly Roger Joe's Avatar
Jolly Roger Joe
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
Originally Posted by Carolina 52
I unhooked the mystery wire and the temp gauge operates as it should.
You should find out what that "mystery wire" is hooked up to.

My truck (as does yours) has electric wipers. They wouldn't work when I got it. I discovered while troubleshooting it that the PO had hooked the "power" supply wire for the switch to frame ground. Wonder why the motor never came on?

Anyway, back on topic, that wire was obviously not supposed to have power on it, or it is pinched to ground somewhere, or connected to a faulty component. You should trace it and discover which is the case.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 07:55 PM
  #20  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger Joe
You should find out what that "mystery wire" is hooked up to.

My truck (as does yours) has electric wipers. They wouldn't work when I got it. I discovered while troubleshooting it that the PO had hooked the "power" supply wire for the switch to frame ground. Wonder why the motor never came on?

Anyway, back on topic, that wire was obviously not supposed to have power on it, or it is pinched to ground somewhere, or connected to a faulty component. You should trace it and discover which is the case.
The 'mystery wire" in my deduction was actually suppose to be the power for the gauges but when the other person worked on the wiring they mistakenly placed it on one the 15 amp breakers. none of my wires had the original colors, they were all faded to white, so in my ignorance I did not catch it when I did the wire for wire swap. I had to add a wire for the power to the gauges. So that wire had continous power running back to the GA side of the switch.
I did try to work on the wipers today while I was under there. I didn't spend alot of time on it but I did clean the area where the switch mounts to see if the switch needed to be grounded also. I did not have the original wiper switch so I picked one up at Carpenters on one of my many trips there. It is a two speed switch. I wired it according to the jeep motor diagram but I have power at the motor but not so much as a hum out of the wiper motor. It is still fun even through some of the frustration.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:05 PM
  #21  
bobbytnm's Avatar
bobbytnm
Roast em' if you got 'em
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Club FTE Gold Member
Congrats on getting the draw fixed and taking a test drive......woooohooo

Its amazing how frustrating these little things can be sometimes but its sure feels good once you get it figured out,

Have fun
Bobby
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:25 PM
  #22  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Originally Posted by bobbytnm
Congrats on getting the draw fixed and taking a test drive......woooohooo

Its amazing how frustrating these little things can be sometimes but its sure feels good once you get it figured out,

Have fun
Bobby
Thanks for that little tip about the test light between the cable and battery that will be helpful in the future I am sure.
I also recieved my horn relay today so I will install those and wire them in just to get another win under my belt, before I go back to wipers, since it is almost idiot simple.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:36 PM
  #23  
bobbytnm's Avatar
bobbytnm
Roast em' if you got 'em
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Club FTE Gold Member
You're very welcome. Just remember when chasing draws on cars with interior lighting that you need to remember to either remove the dome light fuse or keep the door closed while doing the check.

I used to be pretty good with chasing down electrical gremlins; shorts, opens, and draws way back in the past when I worked as a wrench at a Cadillac dealership. I always kind of enjoyed it.

Bobby
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:59 PM
  #24  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Originally Posted by bobbytnm
You're very welcome. Just remember when chasing draws on cars with interior lighting that you need to remember to either remove the dome light fuse or keep the door closed while doing the check.

I used to be pretty good with chasing down electrical gremlins; shorts, opens, and draws way back in the past when I worked as a wrench at a Cadillac dealership. I always kind of enjoyed it.

Bobby
Twice I have been at the local Advance Store and walked by a couple of ladies having their charging systems checked and hearing the advance guys saying there is something drawing power that is going to kill your battery in like 5 hours. Each time I told them to close the door and run the test again. Problem cured each time.
My dome light and courtesy switches will be the last thing I wire in because I did not want to catch myself doing that.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 09:03 PM
  #25  
51PanelMan's Avatar
51PanelMan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
FYI.. the 52 starter push button is the same as the courtesy switches.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 09:45 PM
  #26  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
Originally Posted by 51PanelMan
FYI.. the 52 starter push button is the same as the courtesy switches.
Ilya,
Just in case.. but do you have a steering box in your inventory? One that I could rebuild and switch out later.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 10:12 PM
  #27  
51PanelMan's Avatar
51PanelMan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Carolina 52
Ilya,
Just in case.. but do you have a steering box in your inventory? One that I could rebuild and switch out later.
I do not. I had three at one time (recently) and all were sold fast. I only have a spare left for my truck.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 10:35 PM
  #28  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
no problem.
What are the "stock" cross years 48 to 52 or beyond?
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 10:41 PM
  #29  
51PanelMan's Avatar
51PanelMan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Carolina 52
no problem.
What are the "stock" cross years 48 to 52 or beyond?
48-52 F1-F3 are the same. Only difference is in the 51-52 column tube with the 3 spd LD transmission where the shifter is attached to the tubes. Tubes are interchangeable. Box and steering rod (long rod inside the tube) are the same.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 11:04 PM
  #30  
Carolina 52's Avatar
Carolina 52
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Sophia, NC
So, Anybody else push the dimmer switch everytime you push the clutch in or is it just me.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:50 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE