Battery drains if left connected

[Lazarus52980]

I was recently gifted a large van for help with my many kids and foster kid/kids. Most of the issues it has are fairly easy to deal with (needs tie rod replacements, needs a muffler, fuel gauge doesn't work) but the one tough one is that if I leave the battery connected, the battery will drain slowly. They have a manual disconnect setup, but I still have to pop the hood each time I use. I have not brought it anywhere yet, but I was told the last mechanic worked for quite a while on it and could not figure out where the drain was coming from

Anyone have any ideas/thoughts? If not on the actual cause of the issue, maybe on a place I could bring it? Do I HAVE to bring it to the dealership? That might cost more than a 1994 RAM350 with 140K on it is worth...

Help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LTC8K6]

What do you mean when you say it drains slowly?

Draining slowly is normal.

If it sits for long periods, then you need to get a battery tender type trickle charger.

 

[Lazarus52980]

What do you mean when you say it drains slowly?

Draining slowly is normal.

If it sits for long periods, then you need to get a battery tender type trickle charger.

I guess "slow" is a relative term huh? I'm not sure exactly how long it takes to drain the battery if left connected and not running, but its somewhere between 4 and 12 hours. It feels like about the same amount of time it would take if one of my kids left lights on inside one of my other vehicles overnight.

 

[LTC8K6]

I guess "slow" is a relative term huh? I'm not sure exactly how long it takes to drain the battery if left connected and not running, but its somewhere between 4 and 12 hours. It feels like about the same amount of time it would take if one of my kids left lights on inside one of my other vehicles overnight.

That would be draining fast. :biggrin:

That's got to be a relatively big load if the battery is good and it's being drained that fast.

Generally you connect an amp meter in series with the battery to measure the actual parasitic draw, and then remove fuses until you see the big draw disappear.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/how-to-stop-car-battery-drains

 

[Lazarus52980]

That would be draining fast. :biggrin:

That's got to be a relatively big load if the battery is good and it's being drained that fast.

Generally you connect an amp meter in series with the battery to measure the actual parasitic draw, and then remove fuses until you see the big draw disappear.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/how-to-stop-car-battery-drains

Alright, we will take that as a first step. Thank you very much LTC8K6

 

[PottedMeat]

did it come with any aftermarket stuff - alarm or stereo or something the previous owner wired up themselves? can you disconnect them?

 

[jaedaliu]

Good luck. hunting that down may be difficult.

 

[Lazarus52980]

did it come with any aftermarket stuff - alarm or stereo or something the previous owner wired up themselves? can you disconnect them?

Not that I can see, and I don't think so. It was gifted to my by my church, and they had been using it as a shuttle for quite a while. I can't see the church putting aftermarket stuff into it, and from looking at it, I can't see anything that doesn't look stock.

 

[maidaa]

http://www.harborfreight.com/30-amp-automotive-fuse-circuit-tester-67724.html

 

[Lazarus52980]

ok, i was not able to come up with a real volt meter, so i used a ghetto volt meter (a tail light with bulb). When I connected the wires to the disconnected battery cable and the battery, it lit up somewhat, so there is a current/drain. However, even when I pulled out ALL of the fuses, the bulb was still lit... . Any thoughts on the next step?

 

[Mark R]

Could be a blown alternator regulator. Try with your light again, but disconnect the alternator.