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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:00 pm Post subject: 5.0 flattening battery help! |
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Hi all,
Well the EF is slowly flattening the battery over a couple of days whilst not running and I need some ideas to sort it out. 
I've checked that the boot and glove box lights are not on when closed.
It has been having some wierd mild surging problems while running under light load for a few weeks when cold. Can the TFI module somehow close-circuit when car not running and flatten the battery? What are TFI problem symptoms?
I have the iPod to premium sound mod installed and has been working great so far. However, the front left speaker has been running at a very quiet volume for a couple of weeks now (left split tweeter is OK, WTF?) and crackles when I turn the key to start the car. Is there any way the audio system can pull some voltage when the car is off i.e. in relation to the left speaker crackle, maybe a short circuit pulling voltage somehow? Tonight I noticed a very faint crackle through the LH speaker after the car was completely off which lasted for a few seconds then went quiet.
Basically, what systems could possibly be drawing current when car is off? Alternator issues maybe?
Thanks guys, appreciate your help!
Mike |
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schnoods
Fordmods - Getting Side Ways
Age:24
Posts: 1843
Joined: 25 May 2006
Location: Perth WA, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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I would assume it is the alternator.
I've had one rebuilt on mine, then shat itself 2 years later so I have bought one recently, not cheap being a 5.0L. |
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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:07 am Post subject: |
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How much for the new one? Now you're scaring me!
Mike |
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EBXR8380
Fordmods - Getting Side Ways
Age:55
Posts: 2498
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Location: Penrith NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:31 am Post subject: |
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| Turn everthing off .. Shut doors and check load on fuses?? Pull fuse and check with multimeter/ test lamps.. |
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Krytox
Technical Contributor
Age:29
Posts: 2640
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Location: Seaford State: VIC, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: |
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boot light?
alarm? |
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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:09 am Post subject: |
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Thanks fellas.
How can I test for a faulty alternator? She's been running a bit off for a few weeks and I suspect voltage fluctuations in the ignition. It surges slightly, not missing completely like it's dropping a cylinder.
Thanks, Mike |
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EBXR8380
Fordmods - Getting Side Ways
Age:55
Posts: 2498
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Location: Penrith NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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If the battery is down on one cell the alternator can over charge and cause tune issues.. I had to replace some sensors when this happened to my car back when it was JUST out of warrenty...
Multy meter across battery terminals will check charge... Check battery connections?? |
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XCMUZ
Fordmods Parts Gopher
Posts: 60
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Location: sydney NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| I have had two alternators do this on my 5L. (MY fault both times) The power seems to go through the ALT light on the dash, which tries to power all sorts of stuff on the ignition circuit. This may explain the crackle in the speakers. |
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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies fellas. I took the Ghia down to the auto elec yesterday and he ran some tests.
The alternator is OK, a little tired but functioning OK. We hooked up the multimeter and found that with everything off, something is drawing 0.7 volts! We ended up tracing it to the interior lights/ stereo circuit. All the lights are staying off OK, so it has to be stereo-related.
I have an extra monoblock sub amp in the boot, but apart from the iPod connector, the system is standard. Regarding the crackle from the front speaker (I have checked the connections inside the door), could the CD controller be faulty and drawing power when ign. off? I understand that it runs the front splits, but can audio gear pull voltage when faulty and powered down?
Thanks all, Mike |
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EBXR8380
Fordmods - Getting Side Ways
Age:55
Posts: 2498
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Location: Penrith NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:48 am Post subject: |
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| Disconnect rear amp ?? |
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paulhowes
Fordmods - Smokin em up
Age:46
Posts: 201
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Katoomba NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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| In a stereo case it can usually be related to either poor wiring or the Amp. With the amp it can sometimes be overcome by ptting a good solid heavy guage earth lead (10G) from the amp chassis to car chassis. My son didn't believe me till he tried it. Worked for him. |
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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks again guys.
I've disconnected the two amps, CD stacker, headunit /DSP and interior lights. There is still a 1 amp draw on the battery measured across the fuse terminals under the dash. The glovebox and boot light are definitely not staying on.
Does anyone know what else draws power from this circuit (red vertical fuse, top left on fuse panel)? When Ipull the fuse, the stereo, interior lights, aerial and Smartlock are cut.
Also, now I'm getting intermittent sound from the front speakers, but sound from the sub channel is OK. Checked and cleaned all plugs and terminals to the deck, everything tight. WTH?
HELP!!!
Mike |
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paulhowes
Fordmods - Smokin em up
Age:46
Posts: 201
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Katoomba NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Does the car have an alarm? A fault can give a one amp draw and they are often integrated with the lighting circuit. Happened on one of my cars a few years ago with the alarm. Drawing at straws but worth a look. |
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V8 Ghia Mike
Fordmods Stock as a Rock
Age:39
Posts: 173
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide SA, Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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No alarm fitted Paul. I did check amps across the central locking fuse terminals and there was current there with everything turned off also.
How do I check for power draw at the battery? Positive to ground, negative to ground etc.?
I'm just about to fit a fat earth lead to the amps and see what happens.
Mike |
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