Dead Battery

[Brook]

Last time I was here you guys were great. You solved the starter problem in no time flat. I thanked you before and I'll thank you again for the help.

So now I'm back in some need of help. First off I have a 1989CK PU. Had it for years. Had the engine rebuilt, new starter,water pump,plug wires,sensors, battery. Before I replaced the starter the battery was going dead. When I replaced the starter you guys said to check the ground. Checked the ground and it seemed ok. Ran the truck for 2 months. No problems.

Now the truck sat for 2 weeks and the battery was dead. Went out and charged it and it started and ran for a while. My question is what would drain the battery in a 2 week span and how would I find the source.

Thanks,
Brook

[junior3382]

if there is a ground that is not connected properly you could have a constant draw in power therefore leading to a dead batt... but you mentioned that before the starter issue the batt was dying... how old is it? Did you replace it last time?

[Brook]

Originally Posted by junior3382

if there is a ground that is not connected properly you could have a constant draw in power therefore leading to a dead batt... but you mentioned that before the starter issue the batt was dying... how old is it? Did you replace it last time?

junior3382-
The battery is 2 mo old same as the starter.

[junior3382]

See, I did not know that.... you mentioned the ground on the starter is fine.... What about the main ground from the motor to the frame? Or the ground wire that runs from the neg terminal to the frame?

[Brook]

The grounds seem great. No frayed wires, corrosion or rust the contact area seems good. Is there anything else I should look for?

[junior3382]

With the key off and out of the truck there is a test you can do. If you have a multi-meter, while there is no appearent usage of the DC power, test the batt. If everything is off, there will be no draw off the batt, however, if the multi-meter is showing a draw of power, then there is a bad connection or perhaps something on that should not be. So before we tear apart your truck, test this out and see if there IS a draw. Then we may be able to trace it and repair it. Now if there is no draw then the batt might just be a dud. therefore I would return it under warranty isses.

[leolkfrm]

I would look around for something small drawing power, ie. the glove box light!, low speed fan. Something from the run side of the ignition switch which is not shutting down

[Brook]

Thanks for both sugesstions. I'm going to check out both and I'll get back to you.

Very much appreciate it,
Brook

[Case 7230]

All good suggestions but the first thing I would do is check that your alternator is charging. Also a faulty alt. can cause a battery drain.

[heavychevy85]

i had similar case of this so here is some steps to take

1.unhook the leads off the batt. put on trickle fo a day or so it might be dead dead were jumping and running won't bring it back fully

2. test ur alternater see if its pushing any juice out to the batt while truck is running

3. start ur truck let run 10-15 min while truck is still running unhook ur pos. lead off batt. if truck is still running the alternater is still good(it won't run all day like this just a little bit) if the truck shuts off as soon as u unhook the pos. lead then its prolly a faulty alt.

so try these step don't have to be in order but this should find the problem have fun