Battery draining

[sparkync]

I have a 91 Ford Econoline van. The battery want stayed charged overnight. I've had the battery checked at 3 different places and they say my battery and alternator are ok. Once I jump it off in the mornings, it will start ok during the day, but when it sets overnight it has no power the next morning. I don't know exactly where or how to start to check this sort of problem out. I am an electrician by trade, and have had quiet a bit of minor experience on cars and vans ( I'm no real auto mechanic), and have some basic knowledge of auto electrical schematics. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.. sparky

[mustangmike351c]

Originally Posted by sparkync

I have a 91 Ford Econoline van. The battery want stayed charged overnight. I've had the battery checked at 3 different places and they say my battery and alternator are ok. Once I jump it off in the mornings, it will start ok during the day, but when it sets overnight it has no power the next morning. I don't know exactly where or how to start to check this sort of problem out. I am an electrician by trade, and have had quiet a bit of minor experience on cars and vans ( I'm no real auto mechanic), and have some basic knowledge of auto electrical schematics. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.. sparky

is your battery dirty? use a volt meter and touch one end to either post and the other to the battery its self (anywhere on the plastic) and see if you get a reading. if so clean your battery with baking soda or a good battery cleaner. next remove the cables negative first and then positive. make sure everything is off just like it would be when its sitting over night. if you have a good amp meter (one that will read high amps) connect it between the positive cable and the battery post and reconnect the negative. if you don’t have an amp meter you can use a test light. it should read less than 1 amp on the meter. with the light it should be real dim. if its more than 1 amp or the light is bright you will have to start unplugging things until you find the problem.

[cfrank2]

I would say that you have a problem called a parastatic discharge. Somewhere on your van something is drawing power even while the van is off. You might have to just start pulling fuses to find out which one it is. But it is just as likely that you have a short somewhere. Im sure everything else on your van is just fine.

PM me if you need more help