Battery Drain
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Battery Drain
I have an 85' Ranger that has a battery drain.
It takes about one week to drain the battery to where it has to be recharged, when it is not being used (parked) and it seems to drain the battery faster than that when it is being used (driven).
The battery indicator light on the dash stays lit all the time.
It has a new battery, (new) rebuilt alternator, new regulator.
I used the test light on the negative terminal and post and the test light lit, so I pulled fuses until it went out and it was the dome light fuse, so I took the bulb out of the dome and the test light went out.
I kept the fuse out for the dome light thinking that this would remedy the drain, but no go, it still has a drain?
Is there something else I need to do? If so what?
Also now when I use the test light procedure the test light does not light, if this does not mean there is no longer a drain then why am I still having problems?
Also the battery indicator light on the dash still stays lit.
Any help at all on this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ol' Ranger
It takes about one week to drain the battery to where it has to be recharged, when it is not being used (parked) and it seems to drain the battery faster than that when it is being used (driven).
The battery indicator light on the dash stays lit all the time.
It has a new battery, (new) rebuilt alternator, new regulator.
I used the test light on the negative terminal and post and the test light lit, so I pulled fuses until it went out and it was the dome light fuse, so I took the bulb out of the dome and the test light went out.
I kept the fuse out for the dome light thinking that this would remedy the drain, but no go, it still has a drain?
Is there something else I need to do? If so what?
Also now when I use the test light procedure the test light does not light, if this does not mean there is no longer a drain then why am I still having problems?
Also the battery indicator light on the dash still stays lit.
Any help at all on this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ol' Ranger
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
Welcome to FTE.
You'll have to "go through the numbers" with this one.
Rarely the alternator can have a short in it. So, if it's not too much grief, take it back to where you bought it & have it checked. That light that stays on in the dash, is that 24/7 or just when the ignition is on?
AL.
You'll have to "go through the numbers" with this one.
Rarely the alternator can have a short in it. So, if it's not too much grief, take it back to where you bought it & have it checked. That light that stays on in the dash, is that 24/7 or just when the ignition is on?
AL.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
Likes: 13
From: 13th Colony
Generally, the battery indicator light is actually an alternator light. If the alternator is not charging, i.e. say <13 volts (not sure the exact cut off point), the light comes on. If you have a multimeter, check the voltage at the battery with it off and then running. You should get about 12-12.5 v with it shut off, that is the battery. You should get 13.5 to 14.4 volts with the vehicle running, that is the alternator output. If it is not putting out that, you have a charging problem.
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Thanks for the quick replies!
No, the battery indicator light does not stay on 24/7, only when ignition is on/and or running. Also I already pulled rebuilt alternator (purchased in Jan 04) and had it checked, they said it was O.K.
I do not have a multimeter, but if necessary I will get one to do check on volts.
Thanks again,
Ol' Ranger
No, the battery indicator light does not stay on 24/7, only when ignition is on/and or running. Also I already pulled rebuilt alternator (purchased in Jan 04) and had it checked, they said it was O.K.
I do not have a multimeter, but if necessary I will get one to do check on volts.
Thanks again,
Ol' Ranger
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: minnesota
The tip off here might be that it was the Dome light that gave you a signal.
Typically the dome light is tied into the radio constant 12V. Do you have an aftermarket stereo? With Amps? If you do have amps, disconnect all of them first, and/or just try removing your stereo for a week and see what happens.
let us know.
Typically the dome light is tied into the radio constant 12V. Do you have an aftermarket stereo? With Amps? If you do have amps, disconnect all of them first, and/or just try removing your stereo for a week and see what happens.
let us know.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Why not take this puppy by the likes of Advance Auto or AutoZone & let them put their electrial diagnostic tester on it.
They'll do it at no cost.
It'll liely flag the faulty component.
It could be anything from a shorted diode in the regulator, to a shorted battery cell, to a sticking brake light switch, to any aftermarket add on's.
Discharging the battery so many times, then recharging it with the alternator by driving, will ruin the battery.
So it needs to be found & put right, r you'll likely have another expence for a new battery too.
They'll do it at no cost.
It'll liely flag the faulty component.
It could be anything from a shorted diode in the regulator, to a shorted battery cell, to a sticking brake light switch, to any aftermarket add on's.
Discharging the battery so many times, then recharging it with the alternator by driving, will ruin the battery.
So it needs to be found & put right, r you'll likely have another expence for a new battery too.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I had a simaler problem with my 85' ranger. The battery would drain about every 4 days. It was getting to the point where I just kept a spare battery in the cab just in case. I bought a new alternator, regulator and battary. Still it was still draning the battery. I had the alternator bench tested at Advance Auto, and they said it was good. So then I had them test the voltage regulator, they said it was bad. They gave me a new one and I havent had a problem since.
Goes to show you that just because its new doesn't mean its good.
(Remember to unplug your battery when putting in the new regulator.)
Goes to show you that just because its new doesn't mean its good.
(Remember to unplug your battery when putting in the new regulator.)
