I can't seem to keep the battery charged in my 90' Ford Ranger. I've got a brand new battery and had the alternator checked and they said that was fine. I'll drive it around for about a half hour and if it sits for a day it won't start. I guess something is draining the battery, but for what and where do I look? Some help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Sep-02 AT 11:35 PM (EST)]You might have a light on somewhere. Maybe in the glove box or something, thats what it was on my old car. perhaps something similar. You can check by getting an amp meter and pulling the fuses from the fuse box and use the amp meter to see if there is any current draw. when you find what fuse it is.. you will have an idea if something has a short in it. It could also be a wire somewhere in the truck grounding to the frame.

NOTE: on some fuses there will be a small draw.. ex clock on radio etc. Oh and just pull the fuses one at a time if you are going to do it that way you dont get em confused.

 

Just a little more, you connect the amp meter by disconnecting the neg battery cable and putting the amp meter in line there, don't try to start the truck with it there.

 

Right Ken,
I should have mentioned doing that first, I guess I was half asleep after 16 hours at work .

Rand

 

Disconnevct the output wire from yhe altenator and see if the battery still dies after sitting for the same period of time. If it does not die, your altenator is the cause. A bad diode will current drain back to the altenator and drain the bat,. Perhaps they did not do a diode test when they checked your alt.

 

Check your fuel pump relay. Had the same problem with my 91 Ranger and the relay went bad. Stuck on and ran the battery down .