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Mac P
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2007
10:27:37
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 Subject: Electrical Questions
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Message:
I have a 98 Club Cab, 3.9V6, with most if not all power options. I have an issue with my battery dying if I leave the truck off for a min. I just found out that a bad alternator could cause a drain on the battery, so I'm looking to replace that (also had alternator tests done at AutoZone). My back-up lights do not come on when I put the truck in reverse, I was wondering if this may have something to do with that. I also have a class III hitch mounted with electrical connections, could that have anything to do with the back-up lights or the battery drain or both? And how can I find out? I love my truck, but hate this electical issue(s).
Much thanks for any advice or help!
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jeddert
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2007
11:06:49
| RE: Electrical Questions
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how old is the battery ????
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dude
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2007
11:56:12
| RE: Electrical Questions
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With back-up lights,
-check for damages/burnt bulbs
-check for voltage behind the bulbs with a test light while in reverse/key on
-most likely it's the "back up light switch" on the transmission
usually there is no link between trailer wiring
and the back-up light circuit, unless your trailer has them too.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2007
06:55:41
|  RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
The easiest way to find out if it's your
alternator causing the dead battery problem is
to;
1) Disconnect one lead (either one) from the
battery.
2) Touch that lead you just disconnected to the
post on the battery you just took it off of.
3) You *should* see or hear a spark when touching
that lead. That's telling you there is a draw on
the battery.
4) Remove all wires from the alternator. Make sure
none are touching any metal, not grounded.
5) Now touch that battery lead you did before. If
no spark, you found the cause for your dead
battery.
It is possible your battery is so bad that it goes
dead soon after you shut the engine off. One
shorted cell is all it takes.
Good luck
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Mac P
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2007
21:41:16
| RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
Thanks for the replies.
jeddert- the battery is fairly new, I got it earlier this year, after the previous one went belly up.
dude- I tried bulbs, so I think you may be right about the back up switch. How do I check/fix that?
RadioMan- so you mean to disco my alternator, and pull one of my battery leads and check for spark? no spark means it is/was my alternator killing batteries?!?!
cool
Thanks to all who replied and even to those who only viewed!
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Mac P
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2007
11:37:55
| RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
Ok, so I had a chance to disco the alternator and check for draw, via arc when disco'ing and reconn'ing the neg battery lead. Still have spark. I was under the impression that there were a few other systems that place a draw on the battery if connected...like fuel pump and airbags, so I pulled the fuses/relays for those systems, still get a spark. I noticed according to my manual, there is a fuse for an Ignition Off Draw (what the hell is that for?), so I pull that, still get a spark. I'm getting stomped back to back. I'm thinking of pulling my body ground and then checking for spark. That would isolate everything but engine related stuff, right? If so, that would be of too much help, then, right? I'm super stomped!!!
HELP, PLEASE
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gak
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2007
13:00:53
| RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
Did you ever have your battery checked ? Just because it's fairly new does not mean it could not be the problem.
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Kowalski
GenIII
12/01/2007
13:33:45
| RE: Electrical Questions
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Ignition off draw would include things like the clock memory and memory for your radio presets.
I prefer to check charging systems with a voltmeter - should see a little higher voltage (around 14 volts) when running, if charging.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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12/02/2007
08:20:18
|  RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
Mac P, Disconnect one post from the battery first.
Now touch that post with the wire you just
removed. IF you see or hear a spark, something is
trying to pull power from it. The spark would
almost have to be a large one. You'll always get
a little draw (clock, computer etc.) that is
normal. If the spark is kinda large, pull all
leads from the alternator and touch the battery
post again. If that larger spark is not there,
you more than likely have a partly shorted diode
within the alternator.
Good luck...
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/02/2007
09:50:36
| RE: Electrical Questions
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Message:
gak and Kowalski both made good suggestions. start the truck and use a VOM across the battery terminals. you should read right at or a little above 14vdc. that should eliminate the alt. then have the battery load tested. i've seen batteries go bad in less than a year and i've seen some last(like mine) almost 8 yrs.
if you have access to an amp probe, check the current draw with the key off. don't know exactly what the current draw should be but we're talking milliamps. maybe 50 or so. if it's more than that then try this. with the amp probe still connected start pulling fuses. check your readings each time you pull a fuse. you'll find the offending circuit.
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