Current drain on battery - help needed please Ok guys we have a current drain that is killing the battery. We have done the test light and pulling all of the fuses thing and it's not in a fused circuit. We have narrowed it down to two wires coming from the voltage regulator to the alternator. According to the diagrams it is the "S" or "B" wires the are connected to the alternator. When we disconnect either wire or both wires the current drain stops. We recently put on a new voltage regulator and had the alternator checked for charging. We also put the old volatage regulator back on with the same results. Could it be that the alt. will put out the required voltage but an internal switch is not disconnecting that allows for the currnt drain? Any suggestions from the electical guru's out there? :confused:
*White/black wire, S terminal on alt to S terminal on regulator. * Black/orange wire, B terminal on alt to A terminal on regulator the Black/orange also has link to run to hot side of silinoid. If all that is correct, could it be that the fields on the alt have been reversed. Not sure that can happen and cause a discharge. It may just need to be re-excited. Mike
Thanks for the reply Mike. I guess I should have added that is drain is when the engine is off and the key is out. It is charging while the engine is running. Are the S and B terminals marked on the alternator? I have looked and have not been able to locate any markings.
just started trying to fix a similar problem. with key off and all fuses out of box, i put voltmeter between pos post and pos cable. it shows a 9.5 draw which slowly counts down to a 1.65v draw. ford tech where i used to work thinks something in the alt/reg circuit. said to disconnect reg from alt and test. then disconnect alt wires. if goes away then either reg or alt. will try these and some other things tomorrow.
Thanks Dave. That's where I am now. All fuses out, engine off, key off, and test light between pos. post and pos. cable. If alt. wires connected and regulator plugged in, light is on. If the S or B wire is cut then the light goes out. Next, wires all connected, light on, and I unplugged volt. reg. then light goes out. Replaced regulator and same thing happens. I have had the alt checked for putting out a charge but not for any other possible internal problems. Good luck with your problem. Let me know what you find out. Greg