2000 E350 V10 Super Duty
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2000 E350 V10 Super Duty
My van all of a sudden isn't holding a charge overnight. Lately, in the mornings its hard for it to crank over. When i get er' cranked in the morning, the interior dome lights staoy on for awhile and will then go off in 20 or so minutes. The guy at Auto Zone said that something is draining the battery while the vehicle is not in use. The alternator is 20,000 mi old and the comp says its fine. What is causing the dome light to stay on? The battery gets so low overnight that the memory in the radio keeps reseting. Any ideas? Oh, i cannot find any info on the Auxuilary Battery under the van. I bought it used, so i'm not sure if its the original or not. Can the aux battery be checked for voltage? Any info is much appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Off hand I'd be looking into the door jamb swtiches for the dome lights. That is the cause of the drain. You have one or more that are staying on, and then resetting the timer, and starting the cycle all over again. The delay module itself may be going bad. There is a 20 minute timer for the lights so they don't drain the battery. There should be a module under the dash for them, if you unplug it for a night it will tell you if that's the problem.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Since you mention it, when i drive up a driveway sometimes the light will come on. I was thinking perhaps the frame is twisting and causing the door sensor to activate. On the 2 side entry doors, is it that black plastic- slider/spring piece?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: MI
the year of your van makes that battery 4+ years old. about the expected life span of a standard battery. also with the fact you had a bad alt. recently. take it to a sears and have them replace it with a DieHard Gold. Pay the 10 bucks to have them install the new battery and they will test for charging systems and drains on the battery.
Last edited by crash687; Nov 26, 2004 at 12:47 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
slidewayz566,
I think there are several "keys" in your original post...
First, you said you had an aux battery... While nice, those can draw enough extra load from the stock alternator to cause what would appear to be premature alternator failure. If you've not yanked the alternator and had it really tested, I'd sure encourage you to do so.
Second, and still related to the aux battery, I'd recommend you disconnect it from the circuit for a few days, noting if the symptoms are better or worse. Failure of the aux battery, not uncommon at this age due to its placement under the van, would cause the primary battery to "give it up" nightly trying to offset the failed (or failing) aux battery.
Third, with the aux battery setup there's a lot more cables/connections to check for connectivity. Whatever you do, new battery(s) or not, go through all the cables from alternator to distribution buss to primary battery to aux battery, checking that the connections tight and clean. At five years old, it's about time to do that anyway, but it will help you troubleshoot this problem *and* lengthen the life of any new parts you install...
DadVan
I think there are several "keys" in your original post...
First, you said you had an aux battery... While nice, those can draw enough extra load from the stock alternator to cause what would appear to be premature alternator failure. If you've not yanked the alternator and had it really tested, I'd sure encourage you to do so.
Second, and still related to the aux battery, I'd recommend you disconnect it from the circuit for a few days, noting if the symptoms are better or worse. Failure of the aux battery, not uncommon at this age due to its placement under the van, would cause the primary battery to "give it up" nightly trying to offset the failed (or failing) aux battery.
Third, with the aux battery setup there's a lot more cables/connections to check for connectivity. Whatever you do, new battery(s) or not, go through all the cables from alternator to distribution buss to primary battery to aux battery, checking that the connections tight and clean. At five years old, it's about time to do that anyway, but it will help you troubleshoot this problem *and* lengthen the life of any new parts you install...
DadVan
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 16
From: Vancouver Wash USA
Originally Posted by slidewayz566
My van all of a sudden isn't holding a charge overnight. Lately, in the mornings its hard for it to crank over. When i get er' cranked in the morning, the interior dome lights staoy on for awhile and will then go off in 20 or so minutes. The guy at Auto Zone said that something is draining the battery while the vehicle is not in use. The alternator is 20,000 mi old and the comp says its fine. What is causing the dome light to stay on? The battery gets so low overnight that the memory in the radio keeps reseting. Any ideas? Oh, i cannot find any info on the Auxuilary Battery under the van. I bought it used, so i'm not sure if its the original or not. Can the aux battery be checked for voltage? Any info is much appreciated.
PS, I didn't know there was an aux battery, you have a stock E-350 V-10 ?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ken04
Sounds like the interior light timer is going bad. I had the same problem in my 93 E-150. They are extremely expensive, I had mine bypassed originally, but don't recall how it was done, but I'll look into it, Ken
PS, I didn't know there was an aux battery, you have a stock E-350 V-10 ?
PS, I didn't know there was an aux battery, you have a stock E-350 V-10 ?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
slidewayz566,
Dude! I take back all three of my suggestions! Based on your last post, it sounds like the previous owner really dorked the truck, possibly when they installed the alarm. I wish I had something better than "Good luck" to tell ya...
DadVan
Dude! I take back all three of my suggestions! Based on your last post, it sounds like the previous owner really dorked the truck, possibly when they installed the alarm. I wish I had something better than "Good luck" to tell ya...
DadVan
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Tuurns out it was the main battery. Even though the AutoZone rep said the battery was good under load, turns out i needed to check it cold. After i replaced the battery yesterday, my dumb-*** left the dome lights in the "On" position. Thanks again for the advice!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jimho
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
7
Jan 8, 2012 11:13 AM