'95 F-150 4.9L battery drain during crank
10-26-2013, 03:33 PM
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'95 F-150 4.9L battery drain during crank
Little background, engine was starting to miss and a little hard to start. Replaced plugs, cap and rotor, engine would not start afterwards. Double checked ignition timing at TDC, checked IC and found primary open, replaced. Still will not start, battery drains during crank. Took battery to local NAPA and had tested, battery puts out 1,000 amps and had it tested both with an inductive battery tester and carbon pile, checks good. Pulled started and it was indicating that it was going bad with a possible flying short, replaced and still same issue. Suspecting alternator, but does anyone have any other ideas or better yet the specs for the stock alternator?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
10-26-2013, 06:11 PM
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Quick update, disconnected the alternator connections, battery still pulls down fast during crank. Negative battery cable checks good (ohm value anyway), removed cable and cleaned and re-installed. Still doing the same thing, pretty much out of ideas and could use some of yours!
Last edited by Richard1965; 10-27-2013 at 01:41 PM.
10-27-2013, 09:32 PM
#3
It's a Canadian thing eh!
Starting system is very simple, alternator should have nothing to do with it.
I bet that ground cable heats up and the resistance values will shoot up. Have you had the starter tested? I'm guessing its drawing too much amperage which is killing the battery.
I bet that ground cable heats up and the resistance values will shoot up. Have you had the starter tested? I'm guessing its drawing too much amperage which is killing the battery.
10-28-2013, 01:35 PM
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The starter is brand new, and I need to order a new negative battery cable due to the way the OEM is made, it has a ground connector soldered on about half way down the length of the cable that connects to the frame.
10-28-2013, 09:45 PM
#5
It's a Canadian thing eh!
Yes, that stock ground cable causes allot of problems with corrosion and starting issues from poor grounds. Route a new cable to the starter itself from the battery and also use a shorter ground from the starter to the frame.
11-02-2013, 06:12 PM
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Both cables are now new, still has same issue but I rechecked during crank with the new ignition coil disconnected and the engine was able to continue to crank without draining the battery down. Recheck readings on the coil and they check out within spec for resistance, maybe the ICM? Any new ideas I haven't done yet or should try again?