Battery Runs Dry
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Battery Runs Dry
I have a just about 1 year old sonic battery in my 89 half ton. If I let it sit for awhile, which I usually do, I find the battery is just about dead.
Is there anything I should look for? Ive checked some grounds and so far I cant seem to find a wiring problem, but who knows.
When I get a chance Im going to bring the battery back to where i got it from and try to get a new one, since Im not positive it isnt just the battery.
If anyone has anything to suggest I can check, with the exception of the actual battery, please let me know!
Is there anything I should look for? Ive checked some grounds and so far I cant seem to find a wiring problem, but who knows.
When I get a chance Im going to bring the battery back to where i got it from and try to get a new one, since Im not positive it isnt just the battery.
If anyone has anything to suggest I can check, with the exception of the actual battery, please let me know!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Your problem is not grounds. After charging up the batty , any Auto parts place can load test it to determine if it is probably good. Assuming it is good, most likely you have a small draw from something slowly draining the battery.
To determine if this is really the problem, and to find it, remove the negative cable from the battery post, and hook a test light between the post and the cable. Don't turn on anything that draws a lot of amps, or you will burn up the wiring on the test light. The light should have a slight glow to it. This is from the computer and the radio, which use a small amount of power to maintain their memory. If it glows brightly, remove fuses one at a time. When you hit the right one, the light will be dim and you have just found the circuit with the problem. Don't forget to shut the door to turn off the domelight while doing this test. Problem is often found at one of the parking light sockets, or the tail/brake light sockets, but it could be many places.
Using a meter is not as easy as using a light. Habor Freight sells decent cheap ones.
Good luck Frank
To determine if this is really the problem, and to find it, remove the negative cable from the battery post, and hook a test light between the post and the cable. Don't turn on anything that draws a lot of amps, or you will burn up the wiring on the test light. The light should have a slight glow to it. This is from the computer and the radio, which use a small amount of power to maintain their memory. If it glows brightly, remove fuses one at a time. When you hit the right one, the light will be dim and you have just found the circuit with the problem. Don't forget to shut the door to turn off the domelight while doing this test. Problem is often found at one of the parking light sockets, or the tail/brake light sockets, but it could be many places.
Using a meter is not as easy as using a light. Habor Freight sells decent cheap ones.
Good luck Frank
