Help Battery draining overnight

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 22, 2014 | 06:44 PM

elvaktran

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Help Battery draining overnight

Hi, I have an 1998 expedition EB. a week ago I started having a problem that overnight it drains the battery. I found what it is but know I have a doubt. apparently the alternator is draining the battery. with the amp meter i did have a 4.33 amp draw, and after searching around I found that when disconnecting the alternator inline mini fuse (20 Amp) it dropped to 0.2 Amps. Now here is my question. Do I have to replace the alternator or the voltage regulator? or it can be something else? Thanks in advance for your help. will

Jan 22, 2014 | 07:00 PM

JWC 3

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 7,870

Likes: 47

From: Tennessee

Unhook the alternator itself . The battery wire and the regulator plug . Leave the fuse in . Then see if you have a draw . If you do, replace the alternator or have it rebuilt .

Jan 22, 2014 | 07:08 PM

elvaktran

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

thank you JCW_3 I will try it now if not tomorrow cause its getting cold here!

Jan 22, 2014 | 07:16 PM

JWC 3

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 7,870

Likes: 47

From: Tennessee

Good Luck ! One more thing , be sure you insulate the main battery wire so it does not short out .

Jan 25, 2014 | 12:41 PM

elvaktran

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

here it is. After TS the charging system found that the alternator was fried. it has a 4.27 Amp draw with everything off. The alternator was so shot that it was drawing AMp as a motor. Removed Alternator and did further testing in Autozone and failed everything. Replaced alternator IAW specs. Now its working good with 0.02 Amp draw that its within manufacturers specs. The rare thing here was that the alternator was still charging at 14 volts. I still can't figure that one out. Thanks JWC_3 for all your help.

Jan 25, 2014 | 02:02 PM

JWC 3

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 7,870

Likes: 47

From: Tennessee

Glad you got it fixed ! Thanks for posting your fix . It is not as rare as you think , I see it a couple of times each year .

Jan 25, 2014 | 02:20 PM

SilverSS

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 204

Likes: 0

From: Ocala FL

Glad you figured it out. Alternator probably had a bad diode. I've got a battery drain on my Dodge right now I'm still trying to find. Going to rip out the carpet tomorrow and start tracing wires. Yay.