Electrical problem..something draining batteries
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Michigan City, IN
Electrical problem..something draining batteries
I'm at a loss here..bought this truck couple weeks ago and I just can't get the truck NOT to drain the freakin batteries. First I came to the conclusion that the stock radio was doing it with the truck off and the keys out the radios digital time wasn't shutting off..so I just took out the radio and that seemed to do the trick ..for a couple days. Now the problem is back and actually seems to be draining the batteries faster..
Brand new batteries, fixed/new battery cables, alternator tested okay. Today I saw that the cigar lighter was pushed in..had to pull it out with a pair of pliers, not sure if that would be the problem? Or if there's just a short somewhere? The truck is a dually with the 4 lights on the bed, none of them have worked since I bought it, could that possibly be a problem shorting out?
Drove 100 some miles one way to buy the truck..seller didn't bother to tell me ANYTHING about the battery issue, he treated the truck like ****, damn thing didn't even have a power steering cap on.
The shop I take my stuff to wants $50/hr to go over the truck and find the wiring problem. I might just have to throw the towel in on this..which is a shame because the engine runs good.
Its a 1985 F-250 6.9L
Brand new batteries, fixed/new battery cables, alternator tested okay. Today I saw that the cigar lighter was pushed in..had to pull it out with a pair of pliers, not sure if that would be the problem? Or if there's just a short somewhere? The truck is a dually with the 4 lights on the bed, none of them have worked since I bought it, could that possibly be a problem shorting out?
Drove 100 some miles one way to buy the truck..seller didn't bother to tell me ANYTHING about the battery issue, he treated the truck like ****, damn thing didn't even have a power steering cap on.
The shop I take my stuff to wants $50/hr to go over the truck and find the wiring problem. I might just have to throw the towel in on this..which is a shame because the engine runs good.
Its a 1985 F-250 6.9L
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
My first thing would be pull all of the fuses, then both positive battery cables and see if you still have a draw.
If no, replace the fuses and check for the draw, when you install the fuse that has the draw on it, you know where to start looking.
If yes, there are a couple fusible links tied in on either the starter relay or the glow plug relay behind the passenger side battery.
One of them may be at where the draw is located.
Does the truck have a trailer connector?
Many electrical problems can be in previous owners wireing on things like that.
Aftermarket stereos are another great place to find electrical problems.
Aftermarket driving lights, aftermarket work lights are also great places to look.
If no, replace the fuses and check for the draw, when you install the fuse that has the draw on it, you know where to start looking.
If yes, there are a couple fusible links tied in on either the starter relay or the glow plug relay behind the passenger side battery.
One of them may be at where the draw is located.
Does the truck have a trailer connector?
Many electrical problems can be in previous owners wireing on things like that.
Aftermarket stereos are another great place to find electrical problems.
Aftermarket driving lights, aftermarket work lights are also great places to look.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Michigan City, IN
It does have a trailer connector (its for lights I think?) Its beat to crap though with no cover over it. Guess I can take a look at that..
So the cigar lighter being pushed in wouldn't cause it? Or the dead lights on the bed?
Just to get this out there..I'm completely retarded when it comes to trucks and diesel..I've always owned a car.
*Its going to be kinda hard to see if there's a draw..as I would have to wait for the truck to drain the batteries again. Unless there's a tester or something I can buy for cheap?
So the cigar lighter being pushed in wouldn't cause it? Or the dead lights on the bed?
Just to get this out there..I'm completely retarded when it comes to trucks and diesel..I've always owned a car.
*Its going to be kinda hard to see if there's a draw..as I would have to wait for the truck to drain the batteries again. Unless there's a tester or something I can buy for cheap?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
If you have a draw, when you disconnect the last positive cable you will see a spark.
The bigger the draw, the bigger the spark.
Have you had the batteries load tested?
Very important.
When you load test the batteries on a vehicle with more than one battery, the cables must be disconnected and each battery tested individually.
Many part places think they can test them both at the same time, but it is not true.
You could have one bad battery sucking the other one dry overnight.
The bigger the draw, the bigger the spark.
Have you had the batteries load tested?
Very important.
When you load test the batteries on a vehicle with more than one battery, the cables must be disconnected and each battery tested individually.
Many part places think they can test them both at the same time, but it is not true.
You could have one bad battery sucking the other one dry overnight.
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