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Misfit
New User
Jun 24, 2018, 10:10 AM
Post #1 of 6
(1541 views)
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I have a 94 Ford Ranger.
My battery has started draining. The battery and cables are less than a year old. I had the battery and Alternator tested and both showed fine. I have removed the radio and checked for anything interior wise that might be causing battery drain. I didn't notice anything. If I jump it it will run for me to get to and from work but by that night or the next morning will be dead. Sometimes completely dead. Sometimes turning over a little. Any sugesstions on what else to test, look for?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 24, 2018, 10:58 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: Battery draining
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There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.
You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 30 to 40 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
Veteran
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Jun 24, 2018, 1:28 PM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: Battery draining
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The procedure HT posted is the best way to track down a draw...No false info.....
A way for a quick check would be to turn everything off (obviously), get a test light (bulb style, no LEDs). Disconnect the negative battery cable, hook on end of the light to the cable & touch the other end to the - battery post...... If the light goes on, this would indicate a draw.. You can go over to the fuse box & start pulling fuses, one at a time, when the light goes out, that is the circuit that is staying on....
If the problems looks like it's in a module or the PCM, then you need put the light away and use the other method to be sure.... using a light can create a draw sometimes but a 94 Ranger is pretty basic with no a lot of modules on it...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 24, 2018, 2:38 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: Battery draining
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My opinion is that the old school light trick used to be great but just isn't accurate enough these days since every car has some degree of acceptable draw now and that amount can't be measured with a light bulb.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 24, 2018, 2:58 PM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: Battery draining
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Misfit: Just to add new battery or not none like going totally dead you said it has. That's a horror to a regular automotive battery, once is too much. It just throw a snag in diagnosing it out already well said and spelled out might show nothing wrong it could be erratic now inside the battery. Total draw downs they can flake or shed inside unseen way before normal if run dead - that's the only point that's destructive for any reason to battery. Unless charged by charger back up just if that low is way to hard on alternators - know that or the problems compound,
T
(edit in more)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jun 24, 2018, 3:01 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 24, 2018, 3:04 PM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: Battery draining
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If you want to find out whether the battery is no good or it has a draw just disconnect the battery overnight and see if it starts in the morning. If it doesn't, the battery is no good.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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