Battery getting drained on 99 ford windstar

The battery has been dying and I keep jumping it in order to start it. Tonight we went to put a new battery in it and when getting ready to connect the negative it touched the negative pole and we noticed the headlights and interior lights came on. We kept tapping up against the pole to see if we could figure out if it was a relay or not because you can hear a clicking noise when it happens. Any Ideas on where to start. I would hate to have it ruin this battery. Also, I am not sure if this has anything to do with it or not but occasionally the rear heat blower will turn on by itself when it is in the off position. ??any relation?? :banghead:

Test your alternator. Electrical glitches like that along with the battery drain are sometimes a sign of alternator failure.

Also do some searches on this forum. I don't remember all the troubles different folks have had, except one: ... some folks had issues with the rear wiper motor, it wasn't nesting properly or something.

You know about the special half-in fuse don't you? It's covered in the handbook ... cabin fuse fourteen (??). Made for pulling out for long-term parking.

You could try pulling all fuses, one-by-one, untill you find a loaded one.

completely normal for the headlamps to flash on, and to hear relay's coming on line when you connect the battery. the '99-'00 (01?) have a larger than usual drain for 5-10 minutes after any key/ignition movement. then the draw settles down. but you will need a healthy battery if you don't drive everyday.

completely normal for the headlamps to flash on, and to hear relay's coming on line when you connect the battery. the '99-'00 (01?) have a larger than usual drain for 5-10 minutes after any key/ignition movement. then the draw settles down. but you will need a healthy battery if you don't drive everyday.
My 2001 is doing the same thing after reconnect the battery.

You may need a new GEM module.... I think GEM is what its called... its the computer module behind all the switches n stuff in the dash area. It might be shorted or busted from age or dirty.

If its draining the battery just sitting while engine NOT ON from just sitting parked, then fiddle with the door ajar (or lock) switch where the door locks onto the frame to keep the door closed. That switch inside that groove of the door on mine will often constantly (in cold weather only usually) turn the cabin lights ON and OFF continuously and drain the battery.

I'd also be checking your boo switch as it's prone to sticking "on" which will drain a battery quick. Some folks have complained about the 3rd brake light, and when 1 of the bulbs is blown that this will cause a battery drain. It's been argued that this couldn't be possible but I know many who've had this happen so check for the bulbs in your rear hatch brake light. The momentary light clicking on when you first contact the battery is ok I think. When the system gets first connected there are a few little blips that happen but settle quickly. Make sure too your door switches are clean. With a good digital volt meter you can determine what or if your parasitic drain is and that may be the only way (via pulling individual fuses) to see where the current's going..