Battery drain overnight

[Turbinesurgun1]

2006 dodge 2500 4x4 6 speed 5.9. Battery will drain completely overnight. This started about 2 months ago. Disconnected alternator and small wire to positive post on passenger side as recommended. Would sit for days and not drain so I bought a new alternator and installed on thanksgiving day. Everything has been fine till yesterday. Went out to crank truck and it’s graveyard dead. Truck rarely gets used. Sits for days or weeks. Never been an issue. Last time driven was Saturday. This was Wednesday. The alternator i bought was a reman Delco. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[p-Bar]

Do you have a volt ohm meter? I would pull both pos batt cables and put an an Amp meter on there and see what the drain is to start with. Then start pulling fuses monitoring the meter. That would be a start. We've been seeing a lot of problems on these 3rd gens with grounds not being clean so pull off every ground you can find and clean with scotchbrite pad. Good luck

 

[Turbinesurgun1]

Do you have a volt ohm meter? I would pull both pos batt cables and put an an Amp meter on there and see what the drain is to start with. Then start pulling fuses monitoring the meter. That would be a start. We've been seeing a lot of problems on these 3rd gens with grounds not being clean so pull off every ground you can find and clean with scotchbrite pad. Good luck

 

[Turbinesurgun1]

I know little to nothing about electrical. Thanks I’ll fwd this on. Guy at parts house said to bring alternator back and he will swap out. Seems to me tho that if it was what you’re suggesting it would have still been prevalent when I unplugged the alternator and it quit doing it

 

[p-Bar]

Part house alternators aren't the best as standards are low quality. I wouldn't pull it yet. Get someone to do troubleshooting.

 

[Turbinesurgun1]

Part house alternators aren't the best as standards are low quality. I wouldn't pull it yet. Get someone to do troubleshooting.

I agree. I’m going to charge batteries and go at it again

 

[GCroyle]

Got a buddy that is electric type or has shop full of tools? Check see if they have ant clamp on ammeters. Then check that meter and see is it can measure DC amps via the clamp on. No wires to disconnect. What is the amp draw with key out, doors closed etc.

Report back.

I just learned that these exist with DC amps function if so equipped. Lucky me the Klein i recently bought doesn't have DC amps. Drat.

 

[Turbinesurgun1]

Got a buddy that is electric type or has shop full of tools? Check see if they have ant clamp on ammeters. Then check that meter and see is it can measure DC amps via the clamp on. No wires to disconnect. What is the amp draw with key out, doors closed etc.

Report back.

I just learned that these exist with DC amps function if so equipped. Lucky me the Klein i recently bought doesn't have DC amps. Drat.

I actually own one. Fluke. Found it laying in the road. I know how to do volts but that’s about it. I have a buddy that says he can do these sort of things.

 

[petersonj]

@turbinSince, since you say you are electrically challenged, I recommend starting with basics. Checking for an unwanted small current draw takes some skill with the use of a multi-meter. It is even more difficult to diagnose because of the parasitic draws that are normal when the engine is turned of and the key removed from the ignition switch. Many computers on the truck go into sleep mode after a few minutes when the truck is shut down. They still draw current. After a few minutes, the total current draw maximum is around 35 milliamps - at least that is the norm for an '02 truck.

So, I would check for any electrical load that could be on when it should be off after engine shutdown, such as: glove box light, underhood light, stop lights staying on, etc. How old are your batteries? When some batteries fail, they can show these symptoms. Try disconnecting both batteries for a few days and then check each battery separately for a voltage reading. The reading should be at least 12.5 - 12.7 volts. This is the easy part of using a multi-meter. If the battery voltage is way below these readings, you have likely found your problem.

Also, there should be an IOD fuse (Ignition Off Draw) fuse in the main fuse box under the hood. I believe it may be called something else for your year of truck. It will be easy to identify because the fuse holder will not allow the fuse to be completely removed, just raised to break continuity. When this fuse is raised, it shuts off powere to computers that control interior lights, under hood light, glove box light, security alarm, etc.

Be methodic and note the results for each test you make.

- John

 

[Turbinesurgun1]

@turbinSince, since you say you are electrically challenged, I recommend starting with basics. Checking for an unwanted small current draw takes some skill with the use of a multi-meter. It is even more difficult to diagnose because of the parasitic draws that are normal when the engine is turned of and the key removed from the ignition switch. Many computers on the truck go into sleep mode after a few minutes when the truck is shut down. They still draw current. After a few minutes, the total current draw maximum is around 35 milliamps - at least that is the norm for an '02 truck.

So, I would check for any electrical load that could be on when it should be off after engine shutdown, such as: glove box light, underhood light, stop lights staying on, etc. How old are your batteries? When some batteries fail, they can show these symptoms. Try disconnecting both batteries for a few days and then check each battery separately for a voltage reading. The reading should be at least 12.5 - 12.7 volts. This is the easy part of using a multi-meter. If the battery voltage is way below these readings, you have likely found your problem.

Also, there should be an IOD fuse (Ignition Off Draw) fuse in the main fuse box under the hood. I believe it may be called something else for your year of truck. It will be easy to identify because the fuse holder will not allow the fuse to be completely removed, just raised to break continuity. When this fuse is raised, it shuts off powere to computers that control interior lights, under hood light, glove box light, security alarm, etc.

Be methodic and note the results for each test you make.

- John

Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

I had a bad ignition switch once, so the ECM didn't fall asleep.

 

[crabman]

If you are challenged on diagnosing electrical problems, YouTube is your friend. Go to YouTube and type in the search, "finding a parasitic battery drain". Some very talented people will show you how they find them and what tools to use, etc.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Ok, so I didn't see you mention if you checked the batteries. I'd test each battery individually, so see if one has gone bad and is dragging the other down.... That's a common problem.

Another common problem in '05 was a dash short in the odometer display. Are there green lines showing in the odometer display after you've shut the key off and the display has gone dormant? (It will go dormant if you shut the key off, open the door, and shut it again....)