Major Electrical Problems
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Major Electrical Problems
I've experienced what others have here, with the batteries discharging. I've recharged mine with a shop trickle charger and that seems to do it for a while. But somewhere down the road, it'll probably need another charging. I've been lucky that this has happened at home the two times before. I see a lot of posts with the same symtoms, some owners are saying there's a TSB, but the only info I see in the TSB is that the batteries will need charging from an external charger from time to time. I also see one post mentioning a "recall", but I can't find anything on a recall. I've checked all main battery\ alternator and ground connections and have cleaned them accordingly. The one thing I haven't checked is the positive battery cable that crosses over the radiator, this will be next.
Can anyone shine any light on the TSB on this? Is there any chance of a recall? My 2001 Excursion 7.3 PSD is beyond the factory warranty (52k miles), I have an extended warranty but the deductable is $500, so if repairs are less, I need to do them myself. Any info is greatly appreciated.
Can anyone shine any light on the TSB on this? Is there any chance of a recall? My 2001 Excursion 7.3 PSD is beyond the factory warranty (52k miles), I have an extended warranty but the deductable is $500, so if repairs are less, I need to do them myself. Any info is greatly appreciated.
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Originally Posted by slc10844
Remove the battery cables and check the battery voltage individually. Sounds like you have one battery going bad and draining the other.
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From: AZ.
Providing your altenator is doing it's job, as SLC10844 said you probably have a bad battery but a voltage check isn't an accurate way to find out. You will have volts but not enough amps. You can get over 12V from eight penlite batteries but I don't think they would fire up a PSD. 
A load check is the way to go. If you don't have the meter I think places like AutoZone will check it for you. I think you could also do a gravity check in the evening and in the next morning to see if it drained off. Two new batteries are a pretty cheap fix when having PSD trouble........... Been there, done that..
A load check is the way to go. If you don't have the meter I think places like AutoZone will check it for you. I think you could also do a gravity check in the evening and in the next morning to see if it drained off. Two new batteries are a pretty cheap fix when having PSD trouble........... Been there, done that..
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Originally Posted by Jerrybo66
Providing your altenator is doing it's job, as SLC10844 said you probably have a bad battery but a voltage check isn't an accurate way to find out. You will have volts but not enough amps. You can get over 12V from eight penlite batteries but I don't think they would fire up a PSD. A load check is the way to go. If you don't have the meter I think places like AutoZone will check it for you. I think you could also do a gravity check in the evening and in the next morning to see if it drained off. Two new batteries are a pretty cheap fix when having PSD trouble........... Been there, done that..
A load check is the way to go. If you don't have the meter I think places like AutoZone will check it for you. I think you could also do a gravity check in the evening and in the next morning to see if it drained off. Two new batteries are a pretty cheap fix when having PSD trouble........... Been there, done that..
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Baltimore
Something else you might want to check are the relays. I've run into situations where the A/C relay sticks causing the battery to drain overnight. When the relay sticks, the A/C clutch stays engaged with the ignition switch in the off position. When running, the system doesn't cycle the compressor, the evaporator freezes up and causes a loss of cooling.
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Originally Posted by slc10844
Something else you might want to check are the relays. I've run into situations where the A/C relay sticks causing the battery to drain overnight. When the relay sticks, the A/C clutch stays engaged with the ignition switch in the off position. When running, the system doesn't cycle the compressor, the evaporator freezes up and causes a loss of cooling.
I'll check this too. I actually can't recall ever hearing the a\c compressor cycle on\off. I just thought that with the big noisy diesel I couldn't hear it. Thanks.
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