Dealer says that it isn't a problem but to me it is a significant problem and cannot be talked or explained away. Wondered if anyone else had similar experience.

My 2001 has about 14-15K and I have a problem with the battery going dead. It is a loaded EB including a radar detector which stays on all the time. If I'm on a job, in and out of the truck a lot during the day, when I get ready to go the battery has insufficient charge to start the truck, just clicks. I jump it and a quick drive around the block brings it back to full charge, gauge never even shows significant charging. If I go for over 24 hours without starting and running for 5 minutes, the same thing happens.

To me, this is a sure sign of a dead cell in the battery. The dealer blames the radar detector. I have the same detector in the wife's '98 Buick and it sits for a week without problem on the original stock battery. The detector in the Expy is the one that I had in my '96 Explorer and did not cause a problem there. Looks like I'm going to have to go to a 3rd party to check battery?

 

Not a lot of information here but maybe this will start a discussion where others will have some ideas. Feel the Radar detector. Is it hot? These units usually draw only a few watts and while they will draw down a charged battery, it probably will take a lot longer than overnight. You could try unplugging the detector (of course always mindful of the speed limits) and see if you are still having the problem.

There are a lot of things that can discharge a battery. Bad connections, faulty grounds, etc., but you don't say anything about other electrical problems. So, if it is the battery most auto parts stores will test yours at no charge. They will usually test your alternator too, but the one near me likes me to take mine off the vehicle and bring it inside to their tester. There is an indication that perhaps the alternator is not producing enough power by your mention of a lower than normal reading on the voltage gauge. I know its a pain but get a second opinion. It sure beats walking....

 

Get a new battery, they're cheap.

The cause is likely to be two things. One - the constant drain on the battery and two - the insufficient method of charging. A quick drive around the block is not enough to charge a battery. You may, as you have experienced, get a small charge in it (most likely from the jump), but not enough to compensate for the other losses/draws.

So, get a new battery. Turn your detector off when not in use. Remember, that is not the only thing that is drawing from the battery when the vehicle is off.

BTW, the gauge is pretty much worthless. It may show sufficient voltage but won't reveal the "true" condition of the battery. It's basically a glorified idiot light.

 

Check your ground connections, especially between frame and starter and battery and frame. Tightness doesn't count, they must also be CLEAN, especially at the battery.

 

First thing to do is to have a competent mechanic perform an electrical system test. If you explain your problem he will likely:

 check all the connections at the battery and alternator
 perform an in depth alternator output test checking not so much the voltage but amperage output under load etc.
 perform a load test on the battery to check the ability of the battery to accept and retain a charge
 he may even perform a "parasitic draw" test to check for draws on the battery.

At any rate, a battery should not loose it's charge over-night unless it is in a poor state of charge or is defective in some manner, bad plate, sulfated cell etc. I have a 2000 Expy fully loaded EB with several large power amps for the stereo/DVD/Entertainment system. I bought the vehicle out of lease and the battery would often die after letting is sit for several days. When I went to look at the vehicle it had to be jumped so I had a hint that the system needed attention.
HERE IS WHAT I DID.
I replaced the battery with an OPTIMA Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery. These are by far the finnest batteries available. I replaced the OEM alternator with a Powermaster 200 Amp alternator, and a few other things such as going through and physically touching every connection check it's condition. This may sound excessive but my years of being a mechanic and being just a little **** lends to it. BTW, your dealer will not likely perform these test on your vehicle if it is still under warrantee. Good Luck.

 

I was having the same problem in my Bronco. After sitting overnight, it wouldn't start. It didn't take much to jump start it either. I replaced the battery and everything was just fine from then on.

As I don't like to leave things on when the vehicle is off, I would wire the radar detector directly to an ACC hot line. That way it turns off when you shut off the vehicle, and then turns on again when you turn the car on.

 

Could be a dead cell in the battery. If it has caps that can be removed (non maintenance free), put a charge on it and look for any cells that have bubbles rising. I have always been told that this indicates a bad cell in the battery.

 

>Could be a dead cell in the battery. If it has caps that can
>be removed (non maintenance free), put a charge on it and
>look for any cells that have bubbles rising. I have always
>been told that this indicates a bad cell in the battery.



Greg,,As far as I know,,the cell's with the bubbles are the active (good) cell's, the cell with no bubbles, is the dead or shorted cell !
When I charge my battery for my boat, ( or any battery)I make sure the cells are all bubbeling, and they take a charge good,,just my 2 cents worth,,great site,,

Mark