Battery problem persists

[witchdoctor]

I can't figure out why the battery drains every night; I can hardly start it if at all.

Alternator voltage reads 14.1, and battery will take and hold a charge when disconnected from truck.

Fuel pump relay has been replaced.

The only strange thing I have noticed is that the door ajar light came on for about 10 minutes testerday and then went off. This wouldn't drain off the battery would it?

Please help!

 

[DeRocha]

If your alternator and battery are good then some electrical device is still powered when the engine is off. Do you have any devices always on (Radio, Power inverter, radar dect, CB, etc)? If the door ajar is coming on it will also trigger the interior lights to come on as well (this will indeed drain the battery enough to cause starting issues after 6+ hours of constant use).

 

[savant]

If you disconnect the negative lead from your battery while the truck is off, then place an ammeter inline between the negative post on the battery and the battery cable, this will let you measure the current draw that the battery is experiencing.

(most voltmeters will let you measure current)

Once you know how much the vehicle is drawing when its turned off, you'll have a better idea what to look for. When the key is off, you vehicle should be drawing 100 milliamps or less, in general. Newer vehicles take a while (10-15 minutes sometimes) before all the systems go to sleep, so you might want to connect up the ammeter, then walk away for an hour or so, and see what the current draw is after you *know* everything has gone to sleep.

Sorry for the super-generalized info, but it's the best I can do.

 

[marragtop]

If you find that the draw is too much, I suggest then start pulling fuses 1 by 1 and hopefully this will reveal what component is creating the draw. Once that is determined, you need to start tracing the wiring. Electrical problems can be a real pita......

 

[ZEFFER]

I`m very new with an 2002 explorer e.bauer ed..,bought it two days ago and experiencing the same problem....changed alternator...batterie now charging at 14.14
but the faulty charging syst. light still on...the dealer check everything they still have it and can`t find the problem...they tried reprogramming the cpu didn`t work...could it be a short in the syst.....the only light flashing when the switch is off is the theft light
sorry i couldn`t help you but showing same frustration...thanks

 

[witchdoctor]

After all of the BS it turned out to be the battery. All of the tests showed normal, and the battery would take a charge, but apparently wouldn't hold it. Cost me $49 for a new one, as the old one was only 14 months old.

 

[Lt.Jim]

Some days your the pidgeon and other days your the statue. After 14 months i would not check the battery itself either. Some times they just poop out on ya. At least you found your problem.

 

[KPT]

If the door ajar is coming on it will also trigger the interior lights to come on as well (this will indeed drain the battery enough to cause starting issues after 6+ hours of constant use).

Seconds gens will automatically turn interior lights off after 30 minutes or an hour, I forget exactly how long it is.

 

[96ExplorerXLT]

i think its 45 min...

 

[CDW6212R]

My 93 Limited shuts off after 20-25 minutes. Super nice feature.
Don

 

[seafarer76]

But I don't think they turn the lights off if the door is open. Or if the sensor is telling the truck the door is open. I think it only does it when they are turned on via the switch. I had a door not shut fully one night and the truck wouldn't turn over in the morning without a jumpstart.

 

[Mountaineer97TM]

Hey, just an idea but i had a problem like this. I replaced the battery connectors and have not had a problem since. Cheap fix and maybe it will help you. Maybe not a good enough connect that is lost in the morning.