90 7.3 idi electric hell
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90 7.3 idi electric hell
help! tracking down a power draw that drains batteries overnight- so i hook up batt charger every night. checked all fuses. disconnected alternator, starter, check draw with test light btw neg batt post and disconnected cable. finally started on the power leads coming off the starter solenoid. one wire, blck w orange stripe, when disconnected stopped the draw. it powered the pcm. replaced it. draw still lives! back to the starter solenoid, now the same wire when disconnected show a dim glo on test light. thick yellow wire, powers the ignition circuit, is carrying the draw. don't know what to do next?!? thanks in advance
been told to replace regulator in alternator...???
been told to replace regulator in alternator...???
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
troub,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.
Black and orange goes to the alternator battery terminal.
Also shows a tie in to the glow plug controller and the TECA power relay.
Yellow powers the ignition switch and fuse #1.
Disconnect the black and orange wire from the output terminal on the alternator and see if that stops the draw.
If it does, either the diode pack or internal regulator may be at fault.
TECA I think is E4OD related.
Fuse #1 is hazzard flasher and stop light switch.
Trailer brake controller by any chance?
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.
Black and orange goes to the alternator battery terminal.
Also shows a tie in to the glow plug controller and the TECA power relay.
Yellow powers the ignition switch and fuse #1.
Disconnect the black and orange wire from the output terminal on the alternator and see if that stops the draw.
If it does, either the diode pack or internal regulator may be at fault.
TECA I think is E4OD related.
Fuse #1 is hazzard flasher and stop light switch.
Trailer brake controller by any chance?
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7.3 idi electric H
thanks for supporting a rookie- what does the TECA relay look like? where is it?
another clue?- in the am after 'draw' wires disconnected overnight, (black and orange and thick yellow) tuck is hard to start - with full batteries- 3 times 20 seconds each with the starter before it fires.....thanks
another clue?- in the am after 'draw' wires disconnected overnight, (black and orange and thick yellow) tuck is hard to start - with full batteries- 3 times 20 seconds each with the starter before it fires.....thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Inspect the passenger side positve battery cable clamp.
Is the insulation near the clamp brittle and/or discolored?
Corrosion inside the clamp where the wires crimp in is a rather common problem.
When you have this problem, the clamp and cable gets hot when you try to start the engine.
That clamp is also where the wire from the alternator is tied into the battery system.
So if there is corrosion in the clamp, even though the alternator is charging, the charge may not be reaching the batteries.
A battery voltage test would pick up on that.
A replacement cable is the only cure if that is your problem.
Can't help on the TECA, I only do manual trannies.
Is the insulation near the clamp brittle and/or discolored?
Corrosion inside the clamp where the wires crimp in is a rather common problem.
When you have this problem, the clamp and cable gets hot when you try to start the engine.
That clamp is also where the wire from the alternator is tied into the battery system.
So if there is corrosion in the clamp, even though the alternator is charging, the charge may not be reaching the batteries.
A battery voltage test would pick up on that.
A replacement cable is the only cure if that is your problem.
Can't help on the TECA, I only do manual trannies.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
That sounds like a bad starter to me. Starter can also drain the batteries overnight.
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solved
IGNITION SWITCH! installed yesterday. waited til this am to c if batts dropped- nope- thanks to all for your support.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
So it must have been leaving either the acc or the ignition circuit powered when you thought the key was off.
Thanks for the report on what fixed it.
Thanks for the report on what fixed it.
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