Battery drainage

DODGEVANMAN

MEMBER
1974 DODGE VAN
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

My battery keeps getting drained. I've installed 4 different batteries that were brand new and each kept going dead. I've kept the cantact points clean and corrosion free, checked the water levels, and kept these batteries charged and it seems the only way to keep these batteries hot is to not put them on my van

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 6:48 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

You'll have an easy job because there are no silly, unnecessary computers to draw current for their memory circuits.

First look for an aftermarket radio that is wired incorrectly, and a broken switch button for the glove box light. Unplug the cigarette lighter. If the heater sticks on, there is a thermal cutout built into the back of it that will switch on and off about once per minute.

If nothing is found there, remove the negative battery cable and connect a test light between the cable and battery post. If it lights up or glows dimly, remove the fuses one at a time until the light goes off. That fuse will tell you which circuit to look in.

Caradiodoc

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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 8:55 PM