Ugh. Electrical Problem

88LX

Founding Member

Nov 15, 1999

327

3

29

Chicago, IL

Aug 14, 2004

#1

• Aug 14, 2004

• #1

i dont drive my car everyday. so i go to take it out and the batt is dead. i mean no juice. i get it charged up and drive it then park it. i go out 2 weeks later and its very weak. bad batt or draw problem? thanks

 

88stangmangt

Active Member

Nov 25, 2003

2,332

1

48

Stafford,VA

Aug 14, 2004

#2

• Aug 14, 2004

• #2

check ALL of your lights glove box,hatch all of em either your batt is to weak to hold a charge or something is running.

 

cjman15

Banned

Apr 15, 2004

1,009

0

0

Fairfield, PA

Aug 14, 2004

#3

• Aug 14, 2004

• #3

do you have lighted mirrors? check to see if they close correctly shutting off the light in the mirror when they are up. I had that problem in my car... ended up cutting the wire to them, who needs lights on your mirrors anyway... i don't use 'em

 

88LX

Founding Member

Nov 15, 1999

327

3

29

Chicago, IL

Aug 14, 2004

#4

• Aug 14, 2004

• #4

ill check that. i hate electrical problems so what else have you guys got? thanks

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Aug 14, 2004

#5

• Aug 14, 2004

• #5

stang charging systems (with a 2G) are marginal anyhow. i accept a certain amount of drain, and after two weeks, i would expect a hard start or dead battery, myself. these arent new cars.

my two cents. good luck.

 

extozy

New Member

Sep 7, 2003

93

0

0

Longview, TX

Aug 14, 2004

#6

• Aug 14, 2004

• #6

why are you listed as Founding Member?

sorry to get off the subject

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Aug 14, 2004

#7

• Aug 14, 2004

• #7

all the old timers are listed as such (unless they have CT's).

 

UMDSmith

Member

Feb 10, 2004

226

0

17

Salisbury, Maryland

Aug 15, 2004

#8

• Aug 15, 2004

• #8

If you suspect a power draw, you can use a simple bulb tester on battery. Unhook the negative terminal, and then use the tester between the terminal and the negative lead. With the car off and all the doors shut, it should not light your tester bulb. If it does, you have a power drain. Please read step 2.

Step 2. -> You have a power drain/draw when you shouldn't
Find a friend, preferably one that isn't an idiot and can follow directions (takes longer without a friend)

Starting with fuse 8 (most common fuse for power drain issues), remove the fuse, check the battery again. If the light goes out then that circuit is the one causing the draw. **Note: Make sure you do this with the doors closed, as certain fuses are always hot, and will be able to have power even with the car off.

Fuse 8 powers most of your courtesy lights and some other jazz.

My power draw was caused by a short in the power lumbar motor of my drivers seat AND my 3rd brakelight was miswired (took me a long time to figure out it was 2 things)

 

88LX

Founding Member

Nov 15, 1999

327

3

29

Chicago, IL

Aug 15, 2004

#9

• Aug 15, 2004

• #9

awesome. thanks alot guys, youve given me a place to start.

 

88LX

Founding Member

Nov 15, 1999

327

3

29

Chicago, IL

Aug 17, 2004

#10

• Aug 17, 2004

• #10

so if #8 is the culprit then do i just replace the fuse and thats it?

 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

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Mar 10, 2000

27,512

2,813

234

Dublin GA

Aug 17, 2004

#11

• Aug 17, 2004

• #11

88LX said:

so if #8 is the culprit then do i just replace the fuse and thats it?

Click to expand...

That means that something on the #8 circuit is causing the draw. Now you have a place to start loking for the real culprit. Items such as courtsey lights, add on stereo equipment, alarm systems and sometimes add on instruments can be the source of the drain.

See http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/MustangFuseBox.gif for information on what is on circuit #8

 

88LX

Founding Member

Nov 15, 1999

327

3

29

Chicago, IL

Sep 5, 2004

#12

• Sep 5, 2004

• #12

im not sure i follow what you mean by in between. do you mean placing the pointed part between the terminal and the cable? and then grounding it somewhere?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Sep 5, 2004

#13

• Sep 5, 2004

• #13

88LX said:

im not sure i follow what you mean by in between. do you mean placing the pointed part between the terminal and the cable? and then grounding it somewhere?

Click to expand...

disconnect the cable terminal from the battery. put the test light in series with the terminal and cable.

 

5.0_Gil_89

Founding Member

Oct 13, 2001

163

0

16

Germany

Sep 5, 2004

#14

• Sep 5, 2004

• #14

If you have that damned negative cable still connected to the front cover move it to the block. I changed the water pump and timing chain and now the thing charges better. That ground sucks there because those front cover bolts corrode. Try moving your ground and checking the batt and charging system, especially the fuseable links. I love my stang but Ford missed the boat on the electrical system.