Battery Draw

SoonerBorn · October 30th, 2006, 12:46 PM

I've got a 2000 3.8L and just recently my battery has gotten a draw. It has trouble cranking in the morning but after I've driven around and the battery gets recharged it's got no trouble cranking. I have an aftermarket deck, amp, and subs with a 1.2 Farad cap that has been on for the better part of 5 months. I had the battery checked this morning at AutoZone and they said it's in perfect working condition. Any ideas as to what could be causing the problem?

97TunedMustang · October 30th, 2006, 01:34 PM

dumb question but is the amp turning off when you turn the car off?

SoonerBorn · October 30th, 2006, 02:38 PM

Yes, the amp is turning off.

Could it be a faulty relay perhaps, maybe the alternator?

I notice that my Voltage Block is reading 14.8v when the car is running. Could the alternator be overcharging? Or do I not know what I'm talking about?*

EDIT- Also, It's been a progressive thing. I noticed it was having a little trouble starting the other morning and it's gotten a little worse everytime I've started it since.

*this is obviously the case.

SoonerBorn · November 7th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Update:

Replaced the starter relay in the Power box. Alternator, battery, and starter all check out. I can't figure out what's causing it. I need help!

Jinxed · November 7th, 2006, 04:42 PM

weird, I feel like I say this everytime, but it sounds like a dead cell in your battery. My bike did the same, wouldn't crank over in the morning, I'd jump it ride and it'd start all day. Luckily for me, I was good friends with the mechanic at the bike shop, so I talked him into letting me burrow a battery overnight, sure enough next day started right up. I hate to send you off to buy a new battery and that not fix the prob, but that's prolly where I'd start. It's always an excuse to buy a sweet Optima battery.

SoonerBorn · November 8th, 2006, 12:33 PM

Figured out what it was:

the starter was getting baked from all the heat of the headers. Here I was hoping it was just a dead battery

Jinxed · November 9th, 2006, 04:42 PM

sweet, I'll note that down for future reference.

SoonerBorn · November 13th, 2006, 04:47 PM

just put the new starter in and guess what:

Cranked like a champ!

loudenough · November 15th, 2006, 10:00 AM

yes this ford starter is somthing to watch out for I have had 2 on fire before so all my ones are now custom.This model of starter has real bad ground issues.the pos likes to ground to the case from outside and inside.Plain and simple it was a bad design

cstmp8r · November 15th, 2006, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by loudenough

yes this ford starter is somthing to watch out for I have had 2 on fire before so all my ones are now custom.This model of starter has real bad ground issues.the pos likes to ground to the case from outside and inside.Plain and simple it was a bad design

Is this with newer models or are the older ones shady as well? Reason I ask is I have a draw on mine also but it is an 89 lx with the 2.3. Thanks

loudenough · November 15th, 2006, 10:27 PM

older ones will do it to at night disconect the stater positive and put it on in the morning and try.If still no go try doing a fuse a night till you find the draw.This is all asuming it drains in one night

October 30th, 2006, 12:46 PM	#1
SoonerBorn Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 reviews	Battery Draw I've got a 2000 3.8L and just recently my battery has gotten a draw. It has trouble cranking in the morning but after I've driven around and the battery gets recharged it's got no trouble cranking. I have an aftermarket deck, amp, and subs with a 1.2 Farad cap that has been on for the better part of 5 months. I had the battery checked this morning at AutoZone and they said it's in perfect working condition. Any ideas as to what could be causing the problem?

October 30th, 2006, 01:34 PM	#2
97TunedMustang Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 965 iTrader: 0 reviews	dumb question but is the amp turning off when you turn the car off? __________________ 95 Civic Ex, FnF1's, Morimoto Mini h1 retrofit, GSR, bbk intake, BDL tb, 57trim t3/t4 8psi, 297whp 96 Civic Ex 2dr, G3 HID retrofit, FnF type 1's, Si cluster, Obd1 Z6 swap

November 7th, 2006, 04:42 PM	#5
Jinxed Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 257 iTrader: 0 reviews	weird, I feel like I say this everytime, but it sounds like a dead cell in your battery. My bike did the same, wouldn't crank over in the morning, I'd jump it ride and it'd start all day. Luckily for me, I was good friends with the mechanic at the bike shop, so I talked him into letting me burrow a battery overnight, sure enough next day started right up. I hate to send you off to buy a new battery and that not fix the prob, but that's prolly where I'd start. It's always an excuse to buy a sweet Optima battery. __________________ "Tame 'Til Off The Chain" 67 Coupe - Restore in progress

November 9th, 2006, 04:42 PM	#7
Jinxed Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 257 iTrader: 0 reviews	sweet, I'll note that down for future reference. __________________ "Tame 'Til Off The Chain" 67 Coupe - Restore in progress

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October 30th, 2006, 02:38 PM	#3
SoonerBorn Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yes, the amp is turning off. Could it be a faulty relay perhaps, maybe the alternator? I notice that my Voltage Block is reading 14.8v when the car is running. Could the alternator be overcharging? Or do I not know what I'm talking about?* EDIT- Also, It's been a progressive thing. I noticed it was having a little trouble starting the other morning and it's gotten a little worse everytime I've started it since. *this is obviously the case.

November 7th, 2006, 11:45 AM	#4
SoonerBorn Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 reviews	Update: Replaced the starter relay in the Power box. Alternator, battery, and starter all check out. I can't figure out what's causing it. I need help!

November 8th, 2006, 12:33 PM	#6
SoonerBorn Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 reviews	Figured out what it was: the starter was getting baked from all the heat of the headers. Here I was hoping it was just a dead battery

November 13th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#8
SoonerBorn Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 reviews	just put the new starter in and guess what: Cranked like a champ!

November 15th, 2006, 10:00 AM	#9
loudenough Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 191 iTrader: 0 reviews	yes this ford starter is somthing to watch out for I have had 2 on fire before so all my ones are now custom.This model of starter has real bad ground issues.the pos likes to ground to the case from outside and inside.Plain and simple it was a bad design

November 15th, 2006, 10:27 PM	#11
loudenough Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 191 iTrader: 0 reviews	older ones will do it to at night disconect the stater positive and put it on in the morning and try.If still no go try doing a fuse a night till you find the draw.This is all asuming it drains in one night

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