Battery drains down

Tiny
CREEKWALKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
  • 180,000 MILES
2003 Lincoln Navigator:
The battery drains overnight. I measure 340mA current draw with ammeter in series with battery cable, everything off, doors shut. About 2/3 of this current draw is from Fuse # 102: "Ignition Switch Power". The other approximately 100mA is from the Instrument Cluster, its own self. So.
1) Are these current draws normal or abnormal?
2) Are these current draws large enough to drain down my battery?
3) Why is my battery draining down?

Please help me
Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 2:14 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This amp draw is normal it sounds like you have a battery that is weak. Here is a guide for you to do to test the battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

and if bad

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers
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Friday, October 18th, 2013 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
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I would like to know if 300 to 350 mA is enough draw to drain the battery or if that sits for a few days. Also should the ignition switch be drawing 300mA and should the instrument cluster be drawing 100 mA? I don't know if that's normal or a problem.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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If the battery is in good condition it wont draw down overnight then i'd say don't worry about it.

Here is a guide hast explains things better

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

If the battery is okay check the circuit that is giving you trouble then get back to us or check that circuit out to see why. The radio as well as other electronic circuits are going to draw some amps but not a lot.

You may have a seat switch that is stuck hanging up.

let us know
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
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Hey hmac300, thank you for the help. Yeah it is definitely the ignition switch fuse and the instrument cluster fuse (actually the instrument cluster itself) that are responsible for the draw. Got a new cluster and we are all set!

Thanks again!
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I had this diagram for you the fuses which lead form ign switch pointed out the things to look for but yo may have a bad dash as they are digital and do go bad. However they can be rebuilt at a cheaper cost than factory ones may need to be programmed to your vehicle.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2013 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
WEZYMORA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
2000 Lincoln Navigator Two Wheel Drive Automatic 132000 miles

i have a 2000 lincoln navigator when the car is off a fan turns on and doesnt shut off so then it drain the battery why and how can I fix it
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Fan?
What fan is that?
Have to find out where is it or what is it
does the truck go down after battery drained
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WEZYMORA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Seems like the air conditioner fan but not too sure. Car is running fine now hasnt done it again. Took it to a machanic he couldnt find anything wrong said one of the best running cars he had in the shop. So it is extremely puzzleing. All I know is I was leaving in the morning the car was dead the battery was drained. Got it jumped by switching batteries then placing mine back when we turneed it off a fan stayed on and the lights on the door flickered we ran it and now its not doing it. Very confused
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PICK44
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
Electrical problem
2002 Lincoln Navigator 30000 miles

My wife's car after about a week in the garage has amp of 11.00 and trys to start but all you hear is clicking noise.

I checked the cables and they are okay and tight and clean. I used a hydrometer to check the cells and they read 2- 25%; 2-50% and 2-75% charge.

I took the battery to Walmart (Everstart 65-S) and they checked it out and said it was okay and that it took a charge.

I know there is a drain somewhere and about 8 months ago we took to a dealer who charge us $500 to find and "fix" the electrical drainage. For awhile all was okay, now within the last 3 months, if her car sets up for a week.I have to charge it or jump it to get it to start.

The battery readings from the dydrometer surprised me. I was expecting to find either all cells low or dead. But not what I found.

Any ideas

Pick ><>
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Here is the how to for checking for a draw on the battery. Try it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm

Also, was the alt diodes checked to make sure they were good?
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALFONZO27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR
Electrical problem V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 107200 miles

My navigator has electrical problem, I already change the alternator and battery and the problem persist because the battery lose the charge at the next day. Thank you in advance for your answer. Sincerely Ramon Fonseca
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,787 POSTS
I have seen where the seat control switch gets stuck causing the motor to stop at its limit but still engaged. This will make the battery drain down. Please check the switch and get back to us. Here are a couple guides that can help.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/seat-position-switch-replacement

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)

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