Severe Battery Drain
40

Asked by KentuckyGuitarPicker... Aug 20, 2019 at 12:22 AM about the 1982 Ford F-100 Standard Cab LB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm trying to resurrect and make roadworthy a 1982
Ford F100 that had sat unstarted/undriven for
about a year. Bought and installed a new battery
and poured some fresh gas into the tank. With a
little priming on the carb it started and ran like a
champ. About two weeks in, my brand new battery
went dead. Charged it and started the truck and
took it for about a 10min test drive around my
property. Came back to the house, shut it off and
went inside long enough to get a cold drink (about
2 minutes) and came back and the battery was
stone dead. Cannot keep it charged no matter
what. Can start the truck from a battery charger, it
will run with the cables off the battery, even tried
disconnecting the cables before shutting it off,
battery will hold a charge for as long as I want
while disconnected, but will be sapped dead before
I can get to the drivers seat after reconnecting the
cables. Got any good ideas where to look first?

2 Answers
40

KentuckyGuitarPicker... answered 4 years ago

Yes, sir, I'm certain the battery is going totally dead. I replaced the terminals myself and they're tight and corrosion free. And the reason I ran the truck with the cables off was momentarily to see if the alternator was functioning and in hopes to keep charge in the battery so that I could use it at a later date as I have observed it being almost instantly drained when the truck is shut off. I guess what I was mostly wanting clues for, is where could there be a short/ground so severe as to sap a fully charged battery in like 15 seconds? I've dealt with drains/grounds that would kill a battery in a couple days or some such but never seconds. Thanks.

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
40

KentuckyGuitarPicker... answered 4 years ago

Well, I considered the bad diode idea, but would this apply when the truck has an external regulator? I've changed that part, btw. And I'm actually on my second battery with no change in the symptoms. Thanks!

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Severe Battery Drain 2 Answers

    I'm trying to resurrect and make roadworthy a 1982 Ford F100 that had sat unstarted/undriven for about a year. Bought and installed a new battery and poured some fresh gas into the tank. With a li...

    1982 Ford F-100 Standard Cab LB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Battery draining while parked (electricity not acid) 2 Answers

    My '82 F-100 will "kill" the new battery after only a couple days, unless I unhook one of the cables. Any clues? Thanks.

    1982 Ford F-100

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Battery dying 1 Answer

    I own a 1965 f-100 and I recently put power brakes on it and now something is draining on my battery, I can't figure out the source because all I did while changing my brakes was unhook the pressur...

    1965 Ford F-100

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • replaced battery cables ,solenoid battery,starters only 3months old still just clicks 1 Answer

    82 f100 just clicks after new cable,solenoid,and battery starters only a couple months old?

    1982 Ford F-100

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Won't stay running even after I jump it plus drains the battery. 2 Answers

    On my 1977 ford f100 V8, 351 2barrel carb I have replaced my alternator, fuel hose , battery But yet when I start it I have to jump it if it stays running as soon as I put it into gear it bogs out ...

    1977 Ford F-100

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

F-100

Looking for a Used F-100 in your area?

CarGurus has 7 nationwide F-100 listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Ford F-100 Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    810
  • #2
    MrBlueOval
    Reputation
    510
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    460
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
301 Great Deals out of 13,535 listings starting at $3,888
Used Ford Ranger
22 Great Deals out of 693 listings starting at $6,445
Used Ford Mustang
42 Great Deals out of 1,614 listings starting at $8,995
Used Ford F-250
6 listings
Used Ford Bronco
10 Great Deals out of 1,984 listings starting at $40,000
Used Chevrolet C/K 10
2 listings

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.