Will not start, battery will not hold a charge?

MONTANAHALL1995

MEMBER
2004 FORD F-150
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

Hello,

It won't even try. It was running fine until I had turned it off one day. I have changed the alternator battery and fuel module. The problem is the battery just immediately starts to drain down to less than 1 volt. I can hook it up to a battery charger or another car and it will get the battery around 13.5+ volts, but as soon as I take it off the charger or jump it immediately starts dropping charge. I can take the negative terminal off and it will stop draining, but once I reconnect it, it starts dropping again? I have no idea what to do at this point someone had mentioned a draw but i'm not sure where to even start. I have a multimeter. I would like to add when I put the key in to the on position I can very easily take it out. Could it be a bad ignition switch that is causing the drain. I don't have the money to just keep buying parts carelessly.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi,

It certainly sounds like a parasitic draw. As far as the key being removed in the on position, no that doesn't sound like the issue. That is related to the tumbler and not the actual switch.

Take a look through this link. It explains how to check and test for a parasitic draw. Basically, you have to narrow things down by removing one fuse at a time to see which fuse stops the draw. Once that fuse is identified, we can check to see what is being powered by that fuse and focus on those things.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Note: the link starts with checking the basics. Additionally, it will explain to check different components for heat which could indicate an issue.

If none of the things help you, disconnect your negative battery terminal. place your multimeter between the cable and battery neg terminal. Remove one fuse at a time to see if a specific fuse stops the draw. Once you determine a specific fuse, let me know which it is and I'll dig into the wiring schematics and help figure out what to check.

Take care of yourself and let me know what you find. Also, feel free to let me know if you have other questions. And don't worry. We'll figure it out together.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 AT 7:02 PM

MONTANAHALL1995

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Appreciate the quick response I just got to mess with it again today. I'm having trouble testing for the drain because the battery just drains so quickly, it's not a slow drain by any means when I take it off charge it will drop from 13v to less than 5v within a minute or 2. I have replaced the alternator and got a new battery, the battery works fine when I put it on my other vehicle so I'm not sure.

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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 11:02 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi,

Wow! That is a fast drain. Are the battery terminals getting hot when this happens? For it to drain that quickly, you must have a dead short at some point. It if it taking the power that fast, do you notice any odors that could indicate the insulation on a wire melting?

Be careful with this type of issue. It could cause a fire.

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 6:39 PM