2.8 amp constant draw...
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Freshman User
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2.8 amp constant draw...
I just bought my 65 2 weeks ago. In going through things I have found a constant 2.8 amp draw on the battery. With the help of a friend we pulled all the fuses one by one and still had the draw every time. Whoever owned this truck in the past was very fond of cutting wires so finding this could be fun. Since I am new to this truck, maybe others have experienced this problem in the past and can point me in the right direction/directions? We pulled the battery ground and determined that the alternator is charging and have disconected some of the "wiring" but have not found the problem.
Thanks for any help you can give me on this.
Thanks for any help you can give me on this.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Get a wiring diagram for your truck to start with,they cost about 6-8$ and are worth it.The wiring is fairly simple on 60's trucks so,do an inspection of all the wiring and look for worn wires and such.Look under your dash,I found all kinds of problems there on my 64.These are 40 year old trucks and you may find cracked insulation and corroded plugs.
Brian
Brian
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
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From: Coal country
Possibly a brakelight or tail-light.
Brakelight: Pull one of the wires off the switch, and then check for draw. Or, pull the rear bulbs.
Tail-light: This can happen if the switch has not been replaced properly. The **** look to be in the correct position, but in fact has not been pushed in all the way.
Remove your tail-light bulbs and check for draw.
Brakelight: Pull one of the wires off the switch, and then check for draw. Or, pull the rear bulbs.
Tail-light: This can happen if the switch has not been replaced properly. The **** look to be in the correct position, but in fact has not been pushed in all the way.
Remove your tail-light bulbs and check for draw.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Apple Valley CA USA
In addition to the things mentioned I would check the alternator and voltage regulator. To check the regulator just unplug it. To check the alternator you will need to remove the wire from the solenoid that feeds power to it. The radio could be at fault but that seems like a high draw for a memory circuit. Hawkrod
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Recently replaced the all the harnesses on 65 F100, unfortunately unable to find anyone who reproduces the dash harness. Had a cut and splice previous owner. Not an authority on 65 wiring. Maybe more knowledgeable member can assist. What circuit draws 2 plus amps and bypasses the fuse box. The instrument cluster, and wiper motor draw 2 amps but believe they are both tied into the fuse box. Another 2 plus amp circuit is the alternator, do not know about the starter. If truck has an amp meter gauge it may bypass the fuse panel. Suggest disconnect the tail light at junction below the master cylinder just to eliminate the tail light circuit, although believe the circuit eventually ties into fuse panel. Purchased wire diagram thru Motorhaven for about $11, found it very helpful. In my opinion would not waste money on these 2 sided lamenated color diagrams that are out there.
Anyhow, thought would add my $.02
dave
Anyhow, thought would add my $.02
dave
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fairbanks
I would pull the wires off the alternator and see if it goes away. An alternator will charge with one blown diode which allows the current to flow backwards through the circut. if that does not fix it try pulling the wires off the ignition switch. the ignition switch has constant voltage going to it.
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2 amps is crazy high for a memory circuit, it sould be in the miliamp range
( millions of amps ) like maby 200 max, I am prone to think the Alt also with a bad diode, are you getting the draw with the keyswitch off ? if so it has to be befor the switch, if you need a wireing digram pm me and i will E mail you one.
( millions of amps ) like maby 200 max, I am prone to think the Alt also with a bad diode, are you getting the draw with the keyswitch off ? if so it has to be befor the switch, if you need a wireing digram pm me and i will E mail you one.
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Thanks for all the quick replies. We will be checking the alternator this weekend. The radio and the related wiring has been removed so I am hoping the altrernator is the prob.
Thanks again!
Jim
Thanks again!
Jim
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OK, here's a possibly real stupid question. Today when I shut the truck down, I pulled the neg. batt cable (Because of the draw.) But instead of just shutting it down I wanted to hear the new exhaust one more time 
and hit the throttle. When I did it was running like $%^# trying to back fire like it was real rich. So after my heart attack I decided to hook the neg. cable back up and it runs perfectly fine now. Why would that do that? I hope this isn't too stupid of a question!
Jim
and hit the throttle. When I did it was running like $%^# trying to back fire like it was real rich. So after my heart attack I decided to hook the neg. cable back up and it runs perfectly fine now. Why would that do that? I hope this isn't too stupid of a question!Jim