Battery drain

[dick strough]

My 01 1500 Laramie battery is dead after sitting 3 days. A test light between the battery terminal and cable lights up. I pulled all fuses on side of dash, light stays on. Under hood in the black box beside the battery I pulled the 50amp fuse labeled battery the test light goes out. The truck starts with the fuse out, runs 3 sec. then dies. Starts each time then dies. Headlights ect. work with fuse out. So my question, what does this fuse operate that is draining my battery? Thanks, ****

 

[george wellburn]

My 01 1500 Laramie battery is dead after sitting 3 days. A test light between the battery terminal and cable lights up. I pulled all fuses on side of dash, light stays on. Under hood in the black box beside the battery I pulled the 50amp fuse labeled battery the test light goes out. The truck starts with the fuse out, runs 3 sec. then dies. Starts each time then dies. Headlights ect. work with fuse out. So my question, what does this fuse operate that is draining my battery? Thanks, ****

 

[george wellburn]

if your battery is good it could be a diode in your alternator

 

[dick strough]

Thanks George, haven't unplugged the alternator, will tomorrow.

 

[dick strough]

Unplugged and unbolted both wires, test light still on. Seems the fuse runs a lot more than I knew such as Ign. cylinder, int. lights, radio, power mirrors, map/dome lights ect. I'll keep on checking.

 

[JohnnyMac]

One thing to do, is make sure you wait for a while before you test so the ECU is shut down. Also, make sure there isn't a light on under the hood compartment or that the doors aren't open keeping a light on as that will create a current draw and light your test lamp. Make sure nothing is plugged into your cigarette lighter as well. Sometimes its as simple as a dome light on that you never notice.

When it's all said and done, it might not be anything draining your battery. Might just be a bad battery (dead cell or old) and it just can't hold a charge for more than a couple days. If you have a volt meter, check the voltage with the engine off. Should be 12.3+ (if not - bad battery or charging system). If the battery is good, check the voltage while cranking, it should not drop below 9.9 volts (if so - bad battery), then check the battery while running, should be 13.8+ (if not - bad charging system).

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[dick strough]

Give the ECU 2 hrs. wait time, light still on. My battery is a yr. old. Battery showed 12.8, cranked at 11 and 14.3 running. I,ll find the drain by elimination, just running out of things to eliminate! Thanks ****

 

[JohnnyMac]

Give the ECU 2 hrs. wait time, light still on. My battery is a yr. old. Battery showed 12.8, cranked at 11 and 14.3 running. I,ll find the drain by elimination, just running out of things to eliminate! Thanks ****

Well damn.... At this point all I can do is wish you luck. Sounds like you might have to start pulling wires off of all the devices that big fuse protects, one at a time.

 

[landonl]

did you ever find the problem?... fix?

 

[dick strough]

I've let the truck set 4 days, starts right up. I guess all the un-plugging and poking around must have temporarily fixed the problem.