Keep draining the battery?

Tiny
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Could this be something electrical. I'm pretty sure they guy who jumped started it the first time had the cable ends reversed. I was in the truck, so can't say for sure, but the cables looked a little melted to me.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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This is definately an electrical fault. If the guy who jumped the car had the cables reversed then he could have fried the battery insides. Your first port of call should be an autoparts store to have the battery checked. Or if you have got a volt meter. Put red to+ and black to - on battery with engine not running. If your battery is holding @ 12.5 volts then it's ok. Leave the volt meter on for a few minutes to check it is holding there and make sure nothing is turned on in the vehicle. If it's holding the battery is fine. Now with the volt meter still on start the car and the battery should now be showing between 13 and 14 volts. If that is the case the alternator is charging. And we need to trace the drain.?
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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I had a brand new battery put in, and it started and ran, went about 15 miles. Parked it for the day, went to leave work and the new battery was dead. I sure there was nothing left on. How hard is it to trace back electircal problems?
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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It's very hard to trace electrical faults. They could be anywhere on the cars wiring which is miles of it? It could be that your alternator is not charging and the car is running on the battery all the time. If it is not getting recharged it will keep dying.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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I have printed off all of the information you have given me. I will see if we can narrow down the problem. Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how it goes.
Davesmom
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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No problem. Let me know if ya need more info/help

Dave H
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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It is definatly electrical. Is there a good method to finding what is shorted? Would I be better off taking it somewhere to find this problem? If so, is there certain questions I should ask a mech. To see if they are the best person for the job. Like I said, dealing with very limited funds. Thanks, Davesmom
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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Try this first. It's going to be difficult to trace the actual drain. Unless you have noticed something that is not working?

CURRENT DRAIN CHECK (WITHOUT TRIP COMPUTER)
Ensure all accessories are turned off. Disconnect either battery cable. Connect a test light between the battery cable and battery post. If light does not come on, no current drain exists. If light does come on, check individual circuits to find source of current drain.
CURRENT DRAIN CHECK (WITH TRIP COMPUTER)
Ensure all accessories are turned off. Disconnect either battery cable. Connect an ammeter between either battery cable and battery post. Allow one minute for system stabilization. If current drain is.05 amp or less, system is okay. If current drain is more than.05 amp, check individual circuits to find source of current drain.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)

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