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Battery goes dead?

Tiny
ANTHONY BARBIERI
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
I have a 99 Ford Explorer. That I just use for fishing I do not use it daily. In the winter when it sits for about two weeks the battery goes dead. I have had it jumped by Triple A and they said the alternator and the battery appear to be working fine. I am not where this vehicle is every day so I cannot start it every day. I want to have some idea what I should be asking the auto repair shop to look at rather than go thru an expensive trial and error exercise.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 7:47 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Well in the winter, it is easy for the cold to pull the batteries voltage over a period of a couple of weeks, especially if it is not a new batter, but I am also thinking that you may have a very small parasitic drain, like a clove box light or something small. have a look at this guide to help us find the problem

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
FRNC11
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
He is right about the parasitic drain. This is a problem that Ford is aware of but they won't tell you about or file a recall (I know someone on the inside). I own the same model (1999 Ford Explorer 5.0L) and unless the vehicle is started daily to recharge, the battery will almost surely die. I left it for a week on vacation and had to spend another $80 on a new battery by the time I got back.
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Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 AT 5:11 AM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Thanks Frnc11, you will have to check everything to make sure nothing is left on, including cigarette lighters, clocks etc. If you wont be there to start it withing forty eight hours, unplug the negative cable, and wrap the battery if you have to, (with a towel or something)depending on how cold and treacherous it gets where your located
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Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
PALMASON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
The battery keeps dying. We had the battery checked and was told it was fine. We jump started the car and drove for an hour. When we tried to restart, the battery was dead again. The terminals are clean and secure.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get the aternator load tested might not be putting out.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PALMASON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the very quick response! I'll take it in to get tested. Thanks again!
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYBO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Put meter on, normal draw on Battery for 3 days. Eight days later starts great, six days later battery dead, had to be jumped. Keeps happening with nothing left on. Any ideas?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Was the draw more than.5mA? If so there is something on
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYBO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No, and normal load pull was confirmed by shop. Everything checked and rechecked off.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Is truck driven daily? Assume battery has been replaced. You could disconnect batt and test over the 14 day period it takes to run down. See if it is good.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYBO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It was being driven almost daily. Probably why we never noticed it going down. Haven't been diving it much recently and find the problem at random times. The battery is new and has been checked good.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Well there is a solar panel you can get lays in windshield plugs into lighter and keeps batt up.
I have one on my truck it sets couple months without being used but batt stays up.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYBO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sometimes it takes 4 days to go down, other times it goes for 15. Who knows! Thanks
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN ADAIR
  • MEMBER
  • 42 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 163,737 MILES
I have a 1995 FORD EXPLORER (Eddie Bauer Edition) V6 4X4. The vehicle runs fine all day but in the morning it appears that the battery is dead? It has done this once during the day and I thought it was due to the rear door sensors. Sometimes the lights would stay on so I disconnected them and so the lights would shut off without having to open and shut the rear door. So what would make the battery drain overnight? When I get up and go to work I try to start it and it sounds and acts dead, but when I turn the key a few times it will finally turn over all the way? (NOTE: I HAVE TO RESET ALL MY RADIO SETTINGS WHEN IT DOES THIS ASWELL)
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It could be a bad battery, it may be shorted internally draining it self overnight.
Or, something is draining from the battery like one of the courtesy lights, glove box, trunk, etc.
You should have it checked at a shop for a parasitic draw.

Roy
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN ADAIR
  • MEMBER
  • 42 POSTS
I was thinking it was the battery. The battery was bought 2 months ago from a used (Refurbished) battery shop. I needed something quick and thought it might be a good deal. I will try changing it monday if I can. Could that cause my factory alarm to sound off out of the blue? It doesn't do it all the time but once in a blue moon? Also all the lights shut off now with the back switches undone. However that disconnects the alarm for the back door. Grrr!
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, when the voltage falls below 12 volts, the alarm will activate thinking a door or something else is open.

Roy
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN ADAIR
  • MEMBER
  • 42 POSTS
Okay ASEMaster6371 I thought so! Should I try reconnecting my sensors for the rear door once the battery is changed to see if that help problem is resolved aswell! I will read your reply and message you probly Wensday and let you know what I find. (Figured I will give it a few days to see if the new battery drains)
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Ok, good luck

Roy
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEG_LGMT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 99,000 MILES
I have got a new alternator new battery new post. But will not hold a charge. When I hook it up to jump it, it will stay running but as soon as you take the black cable off it dies. I was thinnking maybe the cylanoid but would some other suggestions before I go putting more money into it.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:50 AM (Merged)

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