I inherited a 2004 F150 Triton double cab. See? I don’t even know how to describe it right. But I’m going to sell it but I want to be fair In the process. If it sits from overnight to two days without being driven, it won’t crank. Dead battery. But after the battery dies you’ll either hear 1) a static sound from the radio or 2) a ticking sound near the fuel line behind the rear driver’s passenger seat.
I replaced the radio fuse. The radio won’t turn on but at least there’s no static and that’s not draining the battery.
I can hear a distinct “tick,tick” coming from behind the driver’s side rear seat near the fuel tank. I don’t have a legitimate/working fuel cap on there right now. I’m going to buy one but could that cause the ticking and/or be draining the battery?
I’m not opposed to replacing all the fuses.
Need to sell the truck at top dollar so I want to be sure it’s not going to keep draining the battery every few days.

 

Others may come along with other suggestions, but here’s how I’d start (not a ton to go on here):

1) get battery tested (real test with a load)

2) clean up grounds (there are many, but first focus on battery, grounds in engine bay, and ground in kick panels by pass and driver’s feet)

3) check FPDM (google this and/or read thread Stucky section at top of this forum)
- retry

if still doesn’t work, post back with more details about what you did and what you found

 

Sometimes the key assembly doesn't turn off leaving some circuits on draining battery .Only a few systems should be on with key out .
One is headlights ,horn , brake lights. entry key pad . You can take a test light and see if these non essential fuses are shutting down . You have to use your common sense . Replacing fuses is not going to fix anything .
Most fuses can be read because the pins come thru the plastic . Sometimes its the alternator itself .
First you need to make sure you have a very good battery . Aftermarket stuff is bad about draining . Remote start etc .
Go out when its dark and see if any courtesy lights are on .
Eliminate suspected circuits by pulling fuses . Opening doors make drain jump up so defeat that circuit . Aftermarket head units is probably high on the miss wire list .

 

This, google battery drain test and you'll find guys telling you to put a volt meter between a battery cable and post so you can watch amp draw. Then you pull fuses one at a time until you see current drop.

 

Not sure about 2004 but some of the circuits remain energized after the key is turned off and are on timers. I do not know for sure but I do not think any of the timers are more than 30 minutes so after 30 minutes your battery draw should be very very low. Prior to the timeout you will see current draws that if they were not timed would kill the battery overnight.

 

I assume the ticking is the fuel pump? Not sure but I know what you mean. I left two devices plugged into the power ports on my truck. After a week went to start it Monday night and the battery was too low. While waiting to jump it I noticed the ticking behind the rear passenger seat.

I'm assuming you keep nothing plugged in, not even a 12v phone charger?

 

So I'm glad I found your this thread. We have a 2004 Heritage that starting draining the battery last year but the battery ended up testing bad so got a new interstate from costco in january. Now we dont drive it a lot but I ran it once a week to work . It seemed fine until march when battery was dead. so I recharged it and it was fine till 2 weeks later. Then after charging and shutting down when I pulled key from ignition the fan was still running. So I suspected it was ignition switch. I just charged on Saturday and went to start and it was dead again and I made sure nothing appeared to be on. We want to sell to our friends nephew as he needs a truck but told her about this issue but she knows people!
Does it seem that ignition is culprit and is it still powering a relay therefore draining the battery? Thanks for nay help.

 

I had a problem with the battery dying after the truck sat for 3 days. I unplugged the stock am/fm cd radio & let it sit for 3 days again & it was fine. Evidently something in the radio was shorted out always draining the battery. I replaced the radio with a JVC & has been fine since.