This is topic battery drain issue in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by rnowacki (Member # 686) on :
 
'95 with new Optima battery and my battery is dying every couple of days when I don't use the car. Slow drain and I'm trying to determine the best way to troubleshoot this as well as if there are common things I should look for. I immediately disconnected all the stereo stuff just to keep that out of the loop but problem persists. Hope everyone had a great holiday!
 
Posted by two-gun kid (Member # 5891) on :
 
something must be still drawing power. get the battery tested becuase maybe the battery wasnt holding a charge.
 
Posted by Eagle347 (Member # 6205) on :
 
Do the battery terminal connectors look good? Did you check all of the door switches?
 
Posted by Joooestang66 (Member # 2828) on :
 
If the battery tests ok, and the battery teminals have no corrosion check the negative battery cable for corrosion on the block. Now youve got to check for parasitic draw. Disconnect the battery intirely, use a voltmeter and note the voltage of the battery. Connect the negative and positive cable and recheck the voltage reading. It shouldnt be more than .3v. Like if your battery reads 12.65v disonnected then once connected it reads 12v, youve got a problem. At that point you'd connected the voltmeter then start pulling fuses until the voltage reading jumps. That will help isolate the circuit/component.
 
Posted by rnowacki (Member # 686) on :
 
OK, thx. All the connections look solid so time to start pull'n fuses
 
Posted by Eagle347 (Member # 6205) on :
 
Check the terminals for good conection/frayed wires to, not just corrosion.
 
Posted by rnowacki (Member # 686) on :
 
Since I always like to update people on the resolution to a problem...

I tracked it down as much as I could and then had to take it in. My usual shop got about as far as I did, punted, and suggested I take it to an electrical specialist... now that can't be good. $600 later they are having to replace one of the main computer modules that controls things like keyless entry, interior lights, etc. Part was near $400 and labor was $200. The joys of an almost 12 y/o vehicle.
 




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