Battery Drain

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With the recent cold snap I have been having starting problems. I had to put a new battery in last year, so I was somewhat put out when I went to start the truck the other day and had enough juice to barely turn the engine over a 1/4 turn. I jumped it off, ran it for a while, and the battery charged back up. If I go a day without running the truck, the battery drains down again and will barely turn the engine over. Now according to the volt gauge, I am getting good charging out of the alternator. I have noticed that once I start the truck and the pre-heater kicks in the first few times, the volt gauge bottoms out on the low side. I haven't tested the alternator yet, but was just wondering if I could have a alternator going bad even though the gauge good volt output. I've got a buddy at work that has a '97 and he says the max life he can get out of a battery is 1 to 11/2 years. My probable suspects are battery, alternator, or somethings draining that battery. Any thoughts?

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93 D250, 2wd, 3/4ton Club Cab, 5spd, LE package, 3. 54 rear, Banks Power Pack (K&N filter and Banks muffler).

 

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I have a 92 and I just replaced my battery. I have been getting about 4 years out of a battery. I live in the mountains, when it got down to about 10 to 20 degrees, it would hardly crank over, but when it was
warm, it worked fine. It works fine now. Test your battery with a volt meter, if it is about 14 volts, when running, your alternator is okay. I have 232,000 miles on mine and it has the original starter and alternator, so I needed a new battery, so I wouldn't put anymore strain on the starter then necessary.

Hope this helps.

Rodney

 

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As Rodney says you should get 4 years plus out of a decent battery, my original went seven years before it had to be replaced. The second generation trucks have two batteries, which causes it's own set of problems, the only good thing about the twin set up is that they are always easy to find, that large one for our trucks is not stock at most auto parts stores.
As for the battery drain, try disconecting the negative terminal and putting a test lamp in series, if it lights something is drawing power. If so check for lamps that stay on, and relays that are stuck closed (alternator field ?). Your alternator could be going bad, but it doesn't sound like it if the voltage is ok, it could have a bad diode and not be putting out full current, you should have at least 13. 75 volts all the time, if you have access to a voltmeter try connecting it to the battery before starting, you should see about 12. 5 volts and check the voltage when cranking, should be at least 8 volts or more. If the voltage is low on the battery it is discharged, if it is ok but drops almost to zero when you crank the starter the battery has a craked plate, if it drops bellow 8 volts then the starter may be suspect. You can also check the voltage under load by turning on all the lights heater etc. If you need to replace the battery I would recomend Interstate brand or Varta they seem to stand up. If you need the alternator or starter repaired, find a local shop that rebuilds them for big trucks, and have your own rebuilt, don't take an exchange unit.


Neil #ad


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Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): bombedcummins@sympatico. ca

[This message has been edited by ETOBICOKE (edited 12-22-2000). ]

 

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GGraves - Curious what brand and output rating the battery you put in last year was? Most automotive batteries are only 700-900 CCA and your original was more like 1170 CCA if I remember correctly. This could make a big difference in Cold Starting.

 

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My original battery lasted 7 years also. It was a 1075 CCA one. Replacement available locally is a 850 CCA, works ok for now, but here at the coast, temp doesn't get too cold. Am considering going to dual batteries before too long.

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Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount, mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, larger transmission oil pan.

 

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Merry Christmas to everyone.

Ian, I had to replace my original battery in 1998 when I inadvertantly left the dome light on for over 24 hours. My replacement battery came from Kingsway Batteries, it is a 1080 CCA and came with a 30 month free replacement and a 60 month prorated warranty. I found about 2 or 3 other places in the Vancouver area that carried the bigger battery one name that comes to mind is Federal Batteries in Richmond. Good place to look for batteries is at the Boat or RV shows.

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92-LE,4x4,5spd,3. 54,Borgeson steering shaft, Tach,Isspro Pyro & Boost, 16cm2, PW injectors

 

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go duel optimas, use ford relay to connect
them when u need them, if acid always check level my old batt used fluid monthly
bill

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1993 w350 ex cab, banks,nv 4500 in
open exaust, pw Injectors are in. Big rig flaps,tach soon to be in. Its loud and goes ok, for a 93,only beat 1 pwr strk furd. 2 optimas,
love driving it!

 

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Sounds like a bad battery. They act that way when a cell dies.

Make sure the terminals are good and clean, coat with grease when you get done cleaning.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K