2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission HELP! Batteries Discharging on a 95

[JPS]

The batteries on my '95 will discharge when vehicle has not been run for 5 or 6 days. Unhooked grid heaters at battery, thought this would take care of the problem. Charged batteries, left pickup sit for a few days, same thing. Not sure what other thing would dischage batteries. Help!!! jps

 

[GaryOwen]

Might try disconnecting batteries completely and see if they still lose their charge - would indicate bad batteries.



Gary

 

[Grizzly]

Something in your electrical system is shorting out and draining the batteries. Finding it is like looking for needle in a ... .



I had some simular situation with my 95. It turned out to be my trailer tow wiring harness had a snag. When I fixed it, the problem was solved.

 

[Taz]

First check the batteries. You can do this at just about any parts store - they will check them for free.

I would start disconnecting the accessories attached to the batteries and then start isolating systems one by one.

I too have a 95. PM me I might can give you something handy.

 

[JPS]

Battery drain!

The batteries are new! Guess they could be bad. Yes,it does have trailer wiring. Will have to check that. Anything I am missing? By the way, thanks for the replys!! jps

 

[DNewell]

Yeah, check batteries. Put them on a charger and charge at 2amp load. Take them in to an auto parts store and have them checked. I had two Optima Red tops in my truck and all of the sudden, my truck started getting hard to start. What's funny is that when I unplugged the DS battery, the lamp under the hood of the truck got brighter. I charged it up and took it back to where I bought it and it turned out to be bad. Replaced with brand new one right on the spot. However, I'm not running the Optima's any more.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your fuel heater will pull juice from the battery. The fuel heater is activated when fuel temperature is below 40 degrees F. and is turned off when temperature reaches 80 degrees F. . The fuel heater mite be pulling more juice then it needs.



Also your batteries could be draining because of a dead cell.

 

[AABEN]

How old are thay?? What is the cold cranking amp? Put them under load test to see if thay hold up.

 

[surfbeetle]

What about other electrical accessories? Stereo, Alarm, lojack, etc. something is drawing more current than it should. Maybe you have a stereo amp that is not turning off.



These suggestions aside, you need to start with the batteries, check the water level in them if they have removable caps, add distilled water if necessary. Next, get them load tested. New or not, it has been known to happen. If they check out, then disconnect the batteries and see if they are good after the 5 or 6 days that you are not running the truck.



If you still are having issues, then you will need to start disconnecting you electrical items one at a time to see what is causing the issue. Troubleshooting this stuff is tedious and time consuming. Good luck.

 

[JPS]

Batteries are new. Just have not had time to check anything. Anyone know what blue and brown wires are on the drivers side battery? Think those are the colors! This is a 1995! jpd

 

[ttbird]

Blue wire is a fuseable link going to the fuel shutoff solenoid, maybe someone else knowns what the brown wire is? I've never had to deal with it yet!

 

[JPS]

Thanks for the reply,ttbird! jps

 

[DPellegrin]

A good way to determine if there is a small current draw from your batteries is to use a Volt Ohm meter (VOM) that has a low current shunt. Most good quality VOMs like Fluke, Simpson, and even some reasonable cost Radio Shack models have a 2 amp and a 10 amp shunt that is easy to use.



Place the VOM leads in series (one path to ground) with the negative cable. The leads must be connected so that any current that comes out of the battery to the truck's electrical system travels through the VOM and is measured in AMPS.



Once the connection is made, make sure that everything is turned off, including the hood open light which will draw about 1. 5-2. 0 amps. I would start out using the 10amp shunt should the current draw exceed 2 amps. If the reading is "0. 0" then switch to the 2 amp shunt for a closer measurement. The reading should be "0. 0" if there is no current draw. If there is a current draw you are going to have to start disconnecting stuff that could potentially be the source of the current draw.



Good luck

 

[Ramtuf1]

The previous poster is correct. After hooking the DVM in series, you should see something less than . 010 amps (10 milliamps) drain on the batteries at most. There is a spec somewhere in the service manual for current drain in sleep mode. If you are seeing more, start pulling the fuses one by one until it drops. Then make the determination where the source of the excessive drain is. I found mine up slightly over . 100 amps (100 milliamps) which caused problems after sitting a few days in cold weather. After cycling the intake grid heaters, it didn't have enough poop to crank the starter fast enough. I solved the problem which was self induced.

 

[JPS]

Battery drain on a '95

Thanks for the replys,guys! Been colder that a witches tit here so have not worked on the problem. Do have a trickle charger hooked up for now. Seems to be keeping batteries at about 12v or a little better. Will do more as weather warms. Thanks for the help!!! jps

 

[JPS]

First check the batteries. You can do this at just about any parts store - they will check them for free.

I would start disconnecting the accessories attached to the batteries and then start isolating systems one by one.

I too have a 95. PM me I might can give you something handy.

Taz, you have mail!!! jps

 

[Taz]

Replied!... .

 

[DODGEDADDIE]

Missouri Mule. .

The fuel heater shouldn't be working when trucks NOT RUNNING should it??

 

[Taz]

That is correct. The fuel heater is not on with the truck is not on.



Just 4 weeks ago I put a new lift pump in to find my fuel pre-heater had a melted connector. I cut the thing and removed it it... Not really needed in this day and age.

 

[Taz]

I just made two realizations at the same time.

First I replied to a thread that is 4 years old.

Second I have been on this forum for 10 years.

I just remembered I am the one that recommended the "quick reply" thingy at the bottom of messages that I am using right now... Wow how time flies!