Electrical nightmare
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Electrical nightmare
I have a '93 Ranger 2.3L with about 291,000 miles, one owner, maintenance maintained since purchased, and this problem arises....the truck doesn't seem to want to start in the mornings, just a clicking noise but nothing else, it can be jumped by another battery, and it runs a starts fine throughout the day til the next morning. The starter is about 3 yrs old, the alternator is also about 3 yrs old, battery is new, battery cable is on order for the next 3 days......any suggestions or solutions appreciated.......bobznnm
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
On a vehicle with that mileage and the year, new battery and alternator cables are in order, especially in a snow state where they salt the roads.
That being said, it sounds like a short or something as simple as the brake lamps staying on are draining the battery overnight. You might want to check the alternator for a bad diode, especially if you used the truck to jump start someone recently.
That being said, it sounds like a short or something as simple as the brake lamps staying on are draining the battery overnight. You might want to check the alternator for a bad diode, especially if you used the truck to jump start someone recently.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
I'd run this puppy by your favorite auto parts store for a no cost electrical system check up, via their portable electrical system tester.
It can check ALL the systems components in the vehicle while under load & check for excessive parasitic electrical drain, with everything turned off.
Sounds like something is draining the battery over night, so a lamp staying on, or a shorted alternator diode, shorted battery cell, ect, ect, sounds likely, so the portable tester should be able to sniff it out.
Let us know what they find.
It can check ALL the systems components in the vehicle while under load & check for excessive parasitic electrical drain, with everything turned off.
Sounds like something is draining the battery over night, so a lamp staying on, or a shorted alternator diode, shorted battery cell, ect, ect, sounds likely, so the portable tester should be able to sniff it out.
Let us know what they find.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 549
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From: Kansas City, KS
Try new battery terminals and don't get the cheap ones. My aspire would start fine with a jump but wouldn't start off of the battery. I just replaced the terminals a couple months ago with the cheap ones, the last time i'll do that.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
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From: Durham, NC
Your symptoms sound like a battery drain. Pull the negative battery cable, and put a test light between the cable & battery terminal. If the light lights bright, there is a substantial battery drain that should not be there. Then start pulling fuses (one at a time) till you find the circuit that's pulling too much current (test light will dim).
jd