something draining battery

[oak]

I have an '87 Ford LXT 4x4 that is suddenly draining the battery overnight. At first I thought it was the battery and replaced it as it was within the free-replacement period. Store didn't check it when I swapped it out.

Can starter or charging system cause this while sitting?

I am at a bit of a loss as to where to start. I first thought about taking out a fuse until it quits draining the battery. That could take weeks!

Then I thought about removing a battery cable and using a meter to see how much it's drawing, then removing a fuse till that reading changes. Only issue I have with that is both of my multi meters have a lead wire issue and I'm without a solder gun to fix.

Any other ideas?

[harryb]

Hard to diagnose without a meter.
Here is a helpful link

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm

[oak]

Thanks for the link Harry! Reading there it looks like my thoughts are in the right direction. I'll start at alternator then go to power windows as passenger side motor is out.

[oak]

have you looked real good to see if a light was staying on or the stereo
a glove box light or under hood light. obviously batteries dont just drain unless something is drawing power. hmmmmm?

Nothing on that I can see. I did check all these things. I just went out an looked and alternator has an external voltage regulator. I'm guessing a bad voltage regulator could could cause this.

[oak]

Where did zoogor's post go? Anyways thanks for the input zoogor. Sometimes I get too deep in the forest to see the trees.,

[anyonomus]

Zoogor deleted his own post.. <br />
Cheers <br />
any <br />
My suggestion to see if there is a draw is on the vehicle is to wait until it is completely dark and open engine hood.. <br />
Carefully remove the ground cable...

[wildman25]

Around here, most auto parts stores will check your alternator on the vehicle. The alternator can go bad and dis-charge the battery while it sits, but will work fine charging, etc. I have a few...

[81infla]

also check connection at the starter. sometimes thru driving hitting pot holes bumps. the nut may come a little loose and imped the charging of the battery.

[oak]

Hey Wild! Good to see ya! I thought about driving it to town, just don't want to end up stuck in town with it. Would be just about my luck. LOL

[wildman25]

Two ways to do it- eeither take another battery or buy a jumpstart box while in town lol'ol. If you need to go into anywhere, you can always unhook the battery while it sits. I forgot to say before...

[junkcollector]

Not a cure, but easier than disconnecting the battery. Harbor Freight sells a battery disconnect switch for around $5. I have one on a Caravan that I usually only start to move when I cut the grass.

[rickw]

Hey Oak..Bad diodes in the alternator will cause the battery to drain down..Take Wild's advice and have it checked..It will likely save you a lot of other troubleshooting Bud..:)

[TurboPirate]

I have an '87 Ford LXT 4x4 that is suddenly draining the battery overnight. At first I thought it was the battery and replaced it as it was within the free-replacement period. Store didn't check it when I swapped it out.

Can starter or charging system cause this while sitting?

I am at a bit of a loss as to where to start. I first thought about taking out a fuse until it quits draining the battery. That could take weeks!

Then I thought about removing a battery cable and using a meter to see how much it's drawing, then removing a fuse till that reading changes. Only issue I have with that is both of my multi meters have a lead wire issue and I'm without a solder gun to fix.

Any other ideas?

This is how I find and fix those problems, get a tester light, the screwdriver type that has a light inside, remove the positive cable from battery, use the tester light to jump the positive cable with positive pole of the battery, how you do this? easy, tester lights have a clamp at the end of the cable, use the clamp on one of the bolts the battery cable has, the point of the tester touching the positive pole of battery, the light will glow, start removing fuses, one at the time, when you get to where the problem is you'll see the light go from bright to almost off, it will never go off completely because radio's memory and engine ECU draws some power, instead of starting with fuse, you can start by unplugging the voltage regulator and alternator.............100% effective, I have being using this method for years.
Good Luck.

[Terryl]

It would have to be a heavy current draw to drain the battery over night, to check the amount of current draw an Amp meter would be needed, or a coil of wire (20 or more turns of 20 ga wire) wrapped around the + lead to the starter and a volt meter will give you enough of a voltage reading to tell when you have found the circuit.

Most newer cars and trucks will draw current from the battery, this can be the alarm, or locking system, some of the computers will draw current.

If this has just started up then something has gone wrong with the computer, lock sensing system or other electric device.

Has anything new been added to the vehicle lately?

[hitest]

This is how I find and fix those problems, get a tester light, the screwdriver type that has a light inside, remove the positive cable from battery, use the tester light to jump the positive cable with positive pole of the battery, how you do this? easy, tester lights have a clamp at the end of the cable, use the clamp on one of the bolts the battery cable has, the point of the tester touching the positive pole of battery, the light will glow, start removing fuses, one at the time, when you get to where the problem is you'll see the light go from bright to almost off, it will never go off completely because radio's memory and engine ECU draws some power, instead of starting with fuse, you can start by unplugging the voltage regulator and alternator.............100% effective, I have being using this method for years.
Good Luck.

this way is the best way except i hook up test light on the negative side .. same effect

[justeric1agn]

This is how I find and fix those problems, get a tester light, the screwdriver type that has a light inside, remove the positive cable from battery, use the tester light to jump the positive cable with positive pole of the battery, how you do this? easy, tester lights have a clamp at the end of the cable, use the clamp on one of the bolts the battery cable has, the point of the tester touching the positive pole of battery, the light will glow, start removing fuses, one at the time, when you get to where the problem is you'll see the light go from bright to almost off, it will never go off completely because radio's memory and engine ECU draws some power, instead of starting with fuse, you can start by unplugging the voltage regulator and alternator.............100% effective, I have being using this method for years.
Good Luck.

this will work i do this all the tie you will find it like this.

[oak]

This was some time ago, but thanks guys. It was the alternator.

I've since had the 302 rebuilt. Almost to the 500 mile oil change.

[wildman25]

See oak, you never came back and had all of us hanging-- shame :grr:

Glad it was an easy fix though