HNY to everyone


2000 ex v10 153k mi
After sitting about a week the battery was dead. Jumped It from the expedition started fine after a few minutes of charging. after driving around for a few days let it sit again and battery dies again. I replaced the battery and that was fine for a few weeks. few weeks later same thing as above. Replaced the alternator which was the original AND battery and seemed fine for about a month. during that month I thought that maybe it was starting to crank a little slow but couldn't tell if it was my imagination. Went out of town for a week came back...opened the door no lights so I knew it was dead again...turned the key and nothing.

I am not a mechanic to the extent of what ive read here that you guys seem to do routinely but I am a man LOL. I say that to say I'm going to have to get a few tools and I may not know all of the acronyms ive seen thrown around but I have no problems learning to get things done. obviously ill need to start with a good voltage meter (recommendations?) and any suggestions on how to trouble shoot this are welcomed. If you know of a thread post the link but I did search this time before posting.

thanks guys

 

Harbor Freight has coupons that gives you a free voltmeter with any purchase. You can literally go in and buy zip ties for $1 or so and get the voltmeter free.

You'll start to find it will be your favorite store.

 

You have something slowly draining the battery when everything should be off.
Could be something simple like the hood or glove box light stuck on.
What you really need is a good ammeter - How to Find and Stop Car Battery Drains ? DIY Car Battery Drain
The Harbor Freight meter is good for up to a 10A drain and will work fine for most troubleshooting.
If you go to Harbor Freight find a 20% off coupon (to buy a fuel pressure test gauge for under $20) to get the free voltmeter.
Or get a cigarette socket digital voltmeter gauge for $1.67 on ebay, but it will take 2 weeks to get here from Hong Kong.
Until then, if everything is off, pull the positive leads and tap them to the post, there should be a tiny spark at most.
If you get a decent spark something is draining the battery, rather than the battery not getting charged by the alternator.
With nothing on there should be around 12.5v across the battery.
If you measure 10.5v there is a shorted dead cell in the battery.
When the engine is running you should normally see around 13.4v which is the alternator powering everything and charging the battery.
With the engine running and you measure 14.5v the battery is low and the alternator is "high" charging the battery.
Your original alternator may have bee fine.
A fuel pressure tester may save you from replacing a good fuel pump.