Charging Troubles?!?!??!?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Charging Troubles?!?!??!?
Hey all,
I've been rackin' my brain trying to figure out where the short is that's causing a constant drain on the battery of my '80 F-150. When I start the truck the voltage reads about 11.5 volts across the posts. The battery is good. It has a recent voltage regulator and alternator. I started out by pulling off the negative battery clamp and connecting my test light from the negative clamp to the negative post. With the key off the light comes indicating a short. I pulled every fuse out of the panel one by one to try and at least narrow it down to a circuit, but the light never went out. Could the short be on an unprotected circuit?
If anyone else has experienced similar troubles I would appreciate your insight....
Trevor
I've been rackin' my brain trying to figure out where the short is that's causing a constant drain on the battery of my '80 F-150. When I start the truck the voltage reads about 11.5 volts across the posts. The battery is good. It has a recent voltage regulator and alternator. I started out by pulling off the negative battery clamp and connecting my test light from the negative clamp to the negative post. With the key off the light comes indicating a short. I pulled every fuse out of the panel one by one to try and at least narrow it down to a circuit, but the light never went out. Could the short be on an unprotected circuit?
If anyone else has experienced similar troubles I would appreciate your insight....
Trevor
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: topeka
11.5 volts on a running truck is just way to low. A standing battery ought to have 12.8 and running 14.3 or 14.5. First thing I'd do is clean the battery posts and make sure the belt is tight. Dirty connetions won't allow charging.
Regardless of the regulator being "recent", i'd strongly suspect it for both the low voltage and drain.
Keep in mind that the autoparts stores do lot of different testing now. check it out.
As far as the drain - Does the test light dim under any circumstances? I don't think you have main power distribution box (can't recall seeing one on my 82) like my 91 Expy has, so you don't have a "main fuse". With your test light in place like you were doing, start ungrounding things that have "always hot" wires, like the V reg and the selenoid etc etc............... cigarette lighter. Any lights stuck in on position?
As always, key off, door closed and underhood bulb removed if you have one
PS Could the short be on an unprotected circuit? yes
Regardless of the regulator being "recent", i'd strongly suspect it for both the low voltage and drain.
Keep in mind that the autoparts stores do lot of different testing now. check it out.
As far as the drain - Does the test light dim under any circumstances? I don't think you have main power distribution box (can't recall seeing one on my 82) like my 91 Expy has, so you don't have a "main fuse". With your test light in place like you were doing, start ungrounding things that have "always hot" wires, like the V reg and the selenoid etc etc............... cigarette lighter. Any lights stuck in on position?
As always, key off, door closed and underhood bulb removed if you have one
PS Could the short be on an unprotected circuit? yes
Give me coffee - Or beer!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
As always, key off, door closed and underhood bulb removed if you have one
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
old broke prospector
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
0
Apr 9, 2013 07:43 AM
Bowins
Electrical Systems/Wiring
6
Aug 10, 2005 08:03 AM
