Temps causing battery drain?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Temps causing battery drain?
Hello all,
I live in Phoenix Arizona and ever since the temps went up my battery keeps getting drained. The only thing I can figure is the cooling fan keeps running after I shut down and it drains the battery. Can anyone help me out?
On another issue is that no matter how much I adjust the carb or the idle my truck keeps dieseling( or what ever it's called when it seems like the truck wants to keep running after shutting down) it seems to happen most after about a 15-20 minute drive.
I live in Phoenix Arizona and ever since the temps went up my battery keeps getting drained. The only thing I can figure is the cooling fan keeps running after I shut down and it drains the battery. Can anyone help me out?
On another issue is that no matter how much I adjust the carb or the idle my truck keeps dieseling( or what ever it's called when it seems like the truck wants to keep running after shutting down) it seems to happen most after about a 15-20 minute drive.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
You have an electric cooling fan, right? I don't know of many who have rigged their cooling fan to run after the ignition has been shut off. Clue us in on how that is set up!
Regardless, it could be that your battery is on its last legs.
Regardless, it could be that your battery is on its last legs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
The batter is less than a year old. I'm thinking that because it's like 110 out on average the fans are staying on longer. These fans were on the truck when I bought it so I haven't a clue how they are rigged.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Taxachusetts
Agree with HIO Silver on the battery...check your battery when the engine is off. 12.5 VDC should be the norm. Check for proper water (distilled if needed) level in the cells. If you have a hydrometer you could check each cell.
Run on or dieseling is caused by carbon hot spots on either the plugs or in the combustion chamber. Pull a plug or two and take a peek at the porcelain. Also, look in the carb for excess fuel being spilled over into the throats. Carb "boiling over" could be a cause....
Do you have an electric fuel pump?
Run on or dieseling is caused by carbon hot spots on either the plugs or in the combustion chamber. Pull a plug or two and take a peek at the porcelain. Also, look in the carb for excess fuel being spilled over into the throats. Carb "boiling over" could be a cause....
Do you have an electric fuel pump?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 191
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Agree with HIO Silver on the battery...check your battery when the engine is off. 12.5 VDC should be the norm. Check for proper water (distilled if needed) level in the cells. If you have a hydrometer you could check each cell.
Run on or dieseling is caused by carbon hot spots on either the plugs or in the combustion chamber. Pull a plug or two and take a peek at the porcelain. Also, look in the carb for excess fuel being spilled over into the throats. Carb "boiling over" could be a cause....
Do you have an electric fuel pump?
Run on or dieseling is caused by carbon hot spots on either the plugs or in the combustion chamber. Pull a plug or two and take a peek at the porcelain. Also, look in the carb for excess fuel being spilled over into the throats. Carb "boiling over" could be a cause....
Do you have an electric fuel pump?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Plus electric fans are current hogs... what alternator ya got?... a weakling 55 or 60 amp is.gonna have a hard time keeping up with fans that run alot... suggest looking into the 130-amp 3G alternator upgrade.. . How to links in the tech info sticky.
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Senior User
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Yeah I believe it's the stock one. I've looked at doing the 3G swap but I guess I get a little overwhelmed cause I'm really new to all of this stuff. Have you done it?
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Fleet Owner
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From: NorCal
Yes I have. My 70 and 73 have been upgraded... easy.. total cost was about $55. Others have done it for half that. My stillborn Project F250 will get it too.... meanwhile, I'm just accumulating parts for it.... thinking of doing a lowered dually.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Im gonna give it a shot. Gonna order an alternator offline to make sure it's the right one and it works well. So hopefully that will fix this issue. Went to watch fireworks Sunday with the wife and kid. All was good until the truck wouldn't start when it was time to leave
Most if not all of use who have gone 3G have sourced alternators from the salvage yard... mine was $26.. others as little as $13... some for $0 because "they have friends".
So low buck that I have one spare and you should too.
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Senior User
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
What vehicles have them?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Found a guy with an alternator out of a mustang gt says it will fit a 96-98 mustang gt. Is that the right one??
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Sounds right... please review the link in Tech Info Compilation.. that's why it is there. It even has pictures of how it is hooked up.
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Senior User
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Yep....those look correct. Did they come from a model year Taurus stated in that Tech Thread?
I recommend you have them tested at your local parts store. If any fail, the salvage yard from which you bought them should allow an exchange. YMMV.
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I recommend you have them tested at your local parts store. If any fail, the salvage yard from which you bought them should allow an exchange. YMMV.
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