dying battery
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 86
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From: Albuquerque, NM
dying battery
Hi all,
Got my new alternator in my 72 F100. All indications are that it is charging, but something is draining the battery at night. Next day, battery if very dead. It is a new battery so, I firgure there is a short somewhere.. Any ideas??
Tony in New Meixoc
Got my new alternator in my 72 F100. All indications are that it is charging, but something is draining the battery at night. Next day, battery if very dead. It is a new battery so, I firgure there is a short somewhere.. Any ideas??
Tony in New Meixoc
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
Disconnect the negative cable from battery. Then connect one end of a 12v test light to the cable and the other to the negative post on the battery. If something is drawing current, the light will be on (if if's on very dimly, that's just your stereo clock or something). Anyhow, start pulling fuses one at a time and when the light goes out, you have zeroed in on your problem. Sounds like a great way to spend New Years Day! Good luck.
jor
jor
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Tony, either something is draining the battery, or the battery will not hold a charge.
1. Test for a drain.
Get yourself a test light, you can make one from a junkyard pigtail for a taillight or sidemarker light. Turn everything off, close all the doors, remove the key. Remove one of the battery clamps. Put the test light between the battery clamp and the battery post. If it lights up, you have a drain somewhere that shouldn't be. and you'll have to track it down.
2. Test for a bad battery. Get the battery all charged up by driving it around or home from work. (At least 30 minutes.) When you park it for the night, try to start it, to make sure it turns over OK. If it does, you knwo the battery is charged up. Take one battery clamp off, and leave the truck for the night. In the morning, put the clamp back on, and try to start it. If it starts OK, then the battery is good. If not, you need to replace the battery.
Other possible problems are bad ground between the block and frame, corrded battery clamps, bad battery cables.
Hope this helps.
1. Test for a drain.
Get yourself a test light, you can make one from a junkyard pigtail for a taillight or sidemarker light. Turn everything off, close all the doors, remove the key. Remove one of the battery clamps. Put the test light between the battery clamp and the battery post. If it lights up, you have a drain somewhere that shouldn't be. and you'll have to track it down.
2. Test for a bad battery. Get the battery all charged up by driving it around or home from work. (At least 30 minutes.) When you park it for the night, try to start it, to make sure it turns over OK. If it does, you knwo the battery is charged up. Take one battery clamp off, and leave the truck for the night. In the morning, put the clamp back on, and try to start it. If it starts OK, then the battery is good. If not, you need to replace the battery.
Other possible problems are bad ground between the block and frame, corrded battery clamps, bad battery cables.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 157
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From: Buckeye, AZ
Had the very same issue with my 72. Turned out to be the cable from the selinoid to the starter was bad and causing the battery to drain.
I found out when I went to put on the positive cable and it would spark when it touched the post. Shouldn't do that if there is no current draw.
I found out when I went to put on the positive cable and it would spark when it touched the post. Shouldn't do that if there is no current draw.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Dying Battery II
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the hints. As an experiment today I jumped the truck off and let it run for a time to allow the battery to charge up. I shut off the engine and unplugged the VR. A couple hours later, it was able to start the truck again.
I am guessing that means the VR got damaged when I put the alternator wires on. I got a momentary puff of smoke on my first try. Everything was charging when I got it all on correct. Hince I thought the VR was OK.
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks for the hints. As an experiment today I jumped the truck off and let it run for a time to allow the battery to charge up. I shut off the engine and unplugged the VR. A couple hours later, it was able to start the truck again.
I am guessing that means the VR got damaged when I put the alternator wires on. I got a momentary puff of smoke on my first try. Everything was charging when I got it all on correct. Hince I thought the VR was OK.
Thanks,
Tony
Fleet Owner
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From: Brentwood,CA
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Senior User
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The factory puts that smoke in all electrical components. Once its "released" its time for a new component. Hence the term "Releasing the factory smoke!"
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Originally Posted by 71 Sport Custom
The factory puts that smoke in all electrical components. Once its "released" its time for a new component. Hence the term "Releasing the factory smoke!"
i thought i saw some replacement smoke once next to an old can of blinker fluid
I think the only place you can get replacement smoke is for Lucas electrical systems on British Cars.
