Battery drain

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Jun 28, 2014 | 04:04 PM

Rutrageous

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Battery drain

Hey everyone! Been having some problems starting lately. Both batteries are old but still draw okay. Van won't start after sitting over night or even an hour or so. Seems to me that something is draining the batteries but I just can't figure out what! Any ideas as to what this might be? Has anyone else had this problem with these trucks? Any help is much appreciated!

Jun 28, 2014 | 04:13 PM

427 fordman

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From: Plankinton, SD

You could pull the negative cable on the battery and put a volt meter between the cable and battery connection. Switch it to amps and see how much draw you have. Then you can pull one fuse at a time and see if it drops to narrow down the draw if there is one.

Jun 28, 2014 | 04:19 PM

Rutrageous

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Did this the other day, good idea! Even with all doors closed and lights off, there was about an 8 amp draw coming from somewhere

Jun 28, 2014 | 04:29 PM

427 fordman

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From: Plankinton, SD

Check your glove box light, make sure its shutting off. Happens with the trucks, unsure on the vans but easy check.

Jun 28, 2014 | 08:50 PM

oldbird1965

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From: AZ

Are the brake lights stuck on? Like Darin said, sounds like your going to have to start pulling fuses.

Jun 29, 2014 | 08:09 AM

paddler

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From: Columbia, MD

8 amps is a lot of draw

That's like leaving your low beams on. Glovebox light alone isn't nearly enough to do it, tail and running lights plus glovebox probably still not enough. I would suspect worn insulation in a positive wire somewhere, shorting to ground. And it might even be in one of the main cables, prior to a fuse. If that's the case, pulling fuses may not change the draw. I would also be worried that you have a fire risk.

I forget the amp-hour rating on my, but 8 amps is in the range to totally discharge fresh, fully-charged batteries in a day or two. If you're not running the truck frequently, every day, you're likely not fully charging the batteries- hence, no start not long after running. And if they have some age, they've lost capacity.

Jun 29, 2014 | 08:18 AM

fordman67

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From: evansville in

Check that cruise deactivation switch if the recall has not been done .if fluid in the switch unplug it before it burns.also try unhooking the alternator.seen them malfunction and draw