On my 1986 e150 the dash lights and clock stay on when the ignition is off and the battery keeps dying if it sits for more than a day. If I disconnect the battery it will hold charger. Any ideas as to the cause... I am thinking a bad relay somewhere.

 

When you say dash lights are you talking about (if you don't have gauges) the oil, temp, alternator, or the actual lights that illuminate the dash?

 

one more question. if you are talking about the warning lights, is your fuel gauge dropping to E or staying in position indicating you have fuel in the tank? I ask because the temp, fuel, and oil are fed from the same accessory circuit on the ignition switch down on the steering column. The clock also has a feed off of the ignition switch. If you are talking about the dash illumination lights, they are fed from the headlight switch.

 

Sorry, for the unclear information. Its is the clock and the gauges that stay on. 10% of the time the clock and gauges will de energize when the ignition is turned off... The rest of the time they stay on and kill the battery.

 

Thats ok... The gauges are also powered from the ignition switch except (I think)) the charging gauge which still has a circuit going through the switch.. Does your charge indicator gauge go to normal while the others stay on?
Anyway,, I believe your problem is in the ignition switch down on the column. It could be bad or it could just out of adjustment.
If you don't have a manual and plan n keeping the van then I recommend you pick up a Ford service manual like this one. These are much better then any book from the parts store. Te only complaint I have heard from some is that some of the CD's don't want to work on newer operating systems. I am cheap and my desktop and laptop still use win7. I use the manual for my 85 and 88 e150 and it works fine..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-1986-B...485526513#rwid

Here is an example of the info in these Ford manuals

If you wind up needing a switch,, here is a Motorcraft OEM switch. You can find a cheaper one probably at the parts store but I find most aftermarket parts to be really sad these days.. Also if it is your only means of transportation I might recommend having a switch on hand or means to go get one as they have been known to come apart.. BUt as I said earlier it may just be out of adjustment...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcraft-...4383.l4275.c10