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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Battery Drain

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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 08:19 AM
  #1  
Fomoco1546's Avatar
Fomoco1546
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From: CENTRAL PA
Battery Drain

Hi Everyone, I have a 1995 f-350 460. My battery is draining over night enough to crank very slow. Battery voltage reads over 14 volts with engine running. I disconnected negative cable and at first used a test light from post to cable end and it lights up. I then used a voltmeter from negative post to cable and it reads over 12 volts. I pulled every fuse in dash and under hood and volt meter still reads over 12 volts. I changed solenoid on firewall and it made no difference. Any suggestions would be very appreciated, Thanks
 
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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 08:36 AM
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Try unplugging the alternator and see if it goes away , sometimes they have a bad diode....
 
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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by lew52
Try unplugging the alternator and see if it goes away , sometimes they have a bad diode....
X2
 
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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 09:23 AM
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Fomoco1546
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Just unplugged alternator and it made no difference. 12.46 volts between neg. battery post and disconnected cable. I'm starting to wonder if it could be in the ignition switch. Is there a plug that I can just disconnect to check?
 
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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 08:45 PM
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eakermeld
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Your glove box light isn't staying on all the time, is it?
 
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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 09:11 AM
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How old is the battery? Bad cell perhaps?
 
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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 09:49 AM
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Likely culprits:

--Two "powered all the time" circuits are your Ignition Switch and Main Light Switch

-- The Alternator Circuit and Battery are connected on the hot side of the starter relay.

PowerProbe would be handy to use if you can get one..........the inductive "current" readers with directional arrows (indicating location of short, draw, etc) can help too
 
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Old Apr 20, 2014 | 07:45 AM
  #8  
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Fomoco1546
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From: CENTRAL PA
Thanks for all the help. I believe I found the problem. My truck is a dump truck and has a bed up switch. I didn't think it worked or was still powered. Disconnected the switch and wire to the switch. I also put a fuse in my ammeter and checked for the drain. I now get a reading of 0.00 with door closed and 2.4 with my door open. I thought I should show slight drain of under .05, but seems like I've got it fixed. thanks
 
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