Battery is being drained
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 6
From: Orcas Island, WA
The type of amp meter that most people are familiar with have the shunt internal to the gauge itself. But there is another type which uses an external shunt. Small gauge wires lead from each side of the shunt of to the separate gauge. The advantage of the later type is that you aren't running high amperage wires up to the gauge and back.
I don't know the wiring specifics in your truck, but the repair shop's statement leads me to believe that you have an external shunt, and therefore have a voltage gauge. The PO probably had no idea of the details and used what ever "amp meter" gauge he could find.
Here is a diagram which might help to understand this:
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,235
Likes: 4,152
From: Near Cal. Avenue
Make sure UR voltage regulator and ignition is correctly wired. U may need an experienced technician to get it rite for U. Not a biggie unless there has been fire damage. It is not unusual to find some heat damage to wiring in these. Most everything in late model modern vehicles centers around reducing the amount of current draw to current carrying relays controlled by semi-conductor modules controlled by the BCM and ECU.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,756
From: Virginia
Make sure UR voltage regulator and ignition is correctly wired. U may need an experienced technician to get it rite for U. Not a biggie unless there has been fire damage. It is not unusual to find some heat damage to wiring in these. Most everything in late model modern vehicles centers around reducing the amount of current draw to current carrying relays controlled by semi-conductor modules controlled by the BCM and ECU.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
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Great information. Thanks again. The explanation is pretty clear Island Time.
Everything is working great...for now. I have a feeling (after the tinkering) that the wire job is shoddy at best. My goal was to drive the truck through winter and then park it in a garage to begin a frame off rebuild.
I'm probably going to advance that on my calender a few months. I think I'll park it at my father's place around the first of the year and start ripping into it.
Everything is working great...for now. I have a feeling (after the tinkering) that the wire job is shoddy at best. My goal was to drive the truck through winter and then park it in a garage to begin a frame off rebuild.
I'm probably going to advance that on my calender a few months. I think I'll park it at my father's place around the first of the year and start ripping into it.
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GT40NUT
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Aug 30, 2014 05:40 PM
