1995 Ford Taurus Short in Electrical wiring

Tiny
GLEN MICHEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD TAURUS
Electrical problem
1995 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Automatic 165000 miles

I have replaced the starter, Alternator, Battery, fan switch to the heater and some emmisions sensors. The battery light starts to appear/flickers and will run the battery down. The check engine light is on and diagnostic codes point to emmison sensors. The only way I can continue to use the car is to disconnect one of the battery terminals. This seems to work but it is a pain to go through each day. Do you have any suggestions on chasing this electrical problem?
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 6:13 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Can you clarify what is the issue and what is the question?
Is the lights on when car running or after engine off?
You disconnect the battery because it drains over night !
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
GLEN MICHEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
If I leave the battery connected the battery will dran over a couple of days. I have replaced allot of components as described but I am still chasing a short. I took the car in for repair and each time they suggest replacing something else. I have it done or replace it myself but no luck. The engine light goes out when the igniton is turned off. I cannot find anything left on and it still drains the battery. I have to take the battery cable off each night and put it back on in the am each day to use the car. I am looking for the source of the short or a better way to look for the source of the short.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Need to have BATTERY DRAIN TEST
NOTE: Amperage draw will vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on equipment package.
No production vehicle should have more than a 50 mA (0.050 amp) draw.
BATTERY DRAIN TEST
1. Ensure junction box/fuse panels are accessible without turning on interior and hood lights. Drive vehicle over 30 MPH for at least 5 minutes. Park vehicle and allow to sit with ignition off for at least 40 minutes to allow electronic modules to power down.

2. Connect a fused jumper wire between negative battery cable and negative battery post. Disconnect negative battery cable from negative battery post, without breaking the jumper wire connection to prevent modules from resetting.

NOTE: It is very important that continuity is not broken between negative battery post and negative battery cable when disconnecting battery cable or connecting ammeter. If continuity is broken, go to step 1.
3. Ensure ammeter is set to read milliamps with at least a 10 amp capability. Connect ammeter between negative battery cable and negative battery post. Remove fused jumper wire.

4. If excessive current draw is present (50 mA or more), pull fuses from battery/central junction box one at a time and note any current drop when each fuse is removed. DO NOT reinstall fuses until test is complete.

5. Check wiring diagrams for any circuits that run from battery without passing through battery/central junction box. Disconnect these circuits if current draw still exists. Repair appropriate circuits as necessary.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 8:06 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links