I know I've started several threads on this topic and I apologize if I'm being annoying...

I have a 67 f100 with a 6 cyl, 300 engine.

It started with a battery draining down over night, since it first started I've put in 3 alternators, 4 voltage regulators, an ignition switch, a starter relay and checked all the wiring for possible breaks.

1) I pulled all the fuses, disconnected the negative battery cable and put a test lite between the cable and the battery. No lite, then I hooked up a volt meter and it read that there was a fairly steady draw of about .25 volts with all the fuses pulled. Could this be interference from something or what would draw 1/4 volts? Could it be a short in the battery? (it's less than a year old)I also disconnect almost every connector and wire thingy I could find, including the tail lite connectors and the instrument panel. Still the 1/4 volt draw...am I doing something wrong?

Everyone keeps saying I have a ground problem, yet there are no loose wires or dead end wires with no apparent mate.
2)When I do get it running, the dash "alternator" lite is on the whole time...needless to say, I am baffled and frustrated beyond words.

3)Could there be a small short in the starter? Or anywhere else?

4)Also, when I put the volt meter across the battery with everything hooked up and running, it read 12.5 volts... Should this be a higher amount to charge?

5) does anyone know where I might be able to buy a wiring harness for this truck?

6) maybe I'll just push it off a cliff

Thanking you all in advance, I'd be really lost without this site and all your help...

 

the battery should read 13 to 14 volts running and charged.

 

For some reason the higher quality NAPA, and STANDARD Regulators seem to only show about 12.5-13.5 volts engine running. Mine only shows about 12.8 and it's plenty good.

 

yes the battery could be the problem.

I had a started that would kill a battery on the second start everytime. When we put the car on the VAT40 the starter was drawing over 300 amps

 

A low battery voltage will cause a high amp draw. Voltage goes down/amps go up. As far as the charging problem goes, if the alt. light is on the whole time the engine is running you need to find out why. with all the fuses in the block you should have no light glowing on the test light if everything is off. You will show a reading on a voltmeter because voltage only shows the potential to move current not the flow of current. The test light in series burning would indicate current flow.

 

Thanks for your input so far guys it is very appreciated...

I put my new alternator in and checked, it's now charging at 14.x volts...I also went for a long drive on the highway to charge as much as it would charge...came back shut it off, tried to start...
Click, click click, click, click, click

the charge lite was on the whole drive

Common sense would tell me that my battery is fried, am I correct in assuming this?

 

crank it up and remove one of the cables off the battery while it is running, if it dies it is in the alternater or related components if it keeps running it is the battery.

 

Thank you cammer72, this is what I needed, simple advice for idiots like me