Hi, I have an 1998 expedition EB. a week ago I started having a problem that overnight it drains the battery. I found what it is but know I have a doubt. apparently the alternator is draining the battery. with the amp meter i did have a 4.33 amp draw, and after searching around I found that when disconnecting the alternator inline mini fuse (20 Amp) it dropped to 0.2 Amps. Now here is my question. Do I have to replace the alternator or the voltage regulator? or it can be something else? Thanks in advance for your help. will
Help. Battery draining overnight.
- Thread starter elvaktran
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IMINYOURCHAIR
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start with the regulator. in the meantime, get a battery cut off switch.
B
bedrck46
constantly disconnecting the battery cause the PCM to reset and thus cause the PCM to have to relearn. This is not really a good practice Troubleshoot your problem to find out what is causing the amp draw and make the repairs that are needed
stamp11127
Full Access Members
If the alternator has a lot of miles I would replace it with the reason being possible longer life than just a repair of the current alternator. That is assuming you get a good quality reman and not a china special.
How old is the battery? I would start out by having the battery tested. With newer vehicles there will always be a draw on the battery because of all the electronics in the truck that need constant power, even when the engine is off. If the battery is bad it won't hold a charge. If the battery dies while sitting, can be jump started and then will run off the alternator I would guess its time for a new battery.
here it is. After TS the charging system found that the alternator was fried. it has a 4.27 Amp draw with everything off. The alternator was so shot that it was drawing AMp as a motor. Removed Alternator and did further testing in Autozone and failed everything. Replaced alternator IAW specs. Now its working good with 0.02 Amp draw that its within manufacturers specs. The rare thing here was that the alternator was still charging at 14 volts. I still can't figure that one out. Thanks guys for all your help.
stamp11127
Full Access Members
Usually the regulator fails allowing current to the rotor which in turn drains the battery.
IMINYOURCHAIR
Full Access Members
To go into detail.. The alternator requires an initial current to produce voltage. there isn't a magnet inside of it so the initial current is used to create an electromagnet to allow the alternator to produce voltage.
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bedrck46
The OP has solved his problem replaced the alternator, He had TWO posts on this problem and only reported on the other post that the problem has been resolved
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