Battery drain
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Battery drain
I am working on a 87 E-350 w/460 eng. Battery is dead overnight. I am not new to finding these problems, however, this one has me stumped. With the test light lit, I started pulling fuses to no avail. Then I pulled the 2 plugs off the alternator, still nothing. In my haste I neglected to reconnect the alt. I disconnected the main supply wire from the solenoid and the light went out. Bingo, or so I thought. I traced this wire to a junction with 5 wires "press soldiered together. From there I found 2 large wires going to a plug that I disconnected. Light out, so I reconnected that plug. From there I narrowed it to a brown wire with a fusible link in it.
I cut that wire and the test light went out. As I started to trace that wire I remembered that I forgot to reconnect the alt. When I did that, the test light came back on. So the only way to have the light out is with both the brown link wire cut and the small 2 wire connector on the alt. unplugged. I don't know the whole story on this van. Could I have 2 problems? The alt. is working OK.
I cut that wire and the test light went out. As I started to trace that wire I remembered that I forgot to reconnect the alt. When I did that, the test light came back on. So the only way to have the light out is with both the brown link wire cut and the small 2 wire connector on the alt. unplugged. I don't know the whole story on this van. Could I have 2 problems? The alt. is working OK.
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I would be glad to try to check a wiring diagram for you. However, just to play it safe, can you tell me the rated amperage output of the alternator? Too, is it "just a van" or is it one of those heavy duty passenger vans with multiple A/C units and the like? That, of course, makes a major difference in the wiring.
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It is a B-class rv but appears to be normal. is has the same alt as my F-150. I believe it is 95 amp. No extra AC's or any thing else. It does have an extra batt. in the back, but it is isolated properly.
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Originally Posted by grappler19
It is a B-class rv but appears to be normal. is has the same alt as my F-150. I believe it is 95 amp. No extra AC's or any thing else. It does have an extra batt. in the back, but it is isolated properly.
Secondly, take a look at the front of the alternator--at the large mounting ear--and you will find the voltage and the amperage etched into the metal. That will give you the amperage output of the alternator @ its maximum.
I hope this will help you out at least some.
