Why is my Battery Draining

Why is my Battery Draining If I don’t start my 04 Mustang Mach I in two days, the battery is dead. Pulled individual fuses, no problem. Pulled the #6 High Currency Fuse (located by the battery) and the draw stops. #6 controls the Powertrain Control Module (replaced with a reman with plug and play), I/P Fuse panel and Instrument Cluster. I’ve called three Ford Dealerships and Ford Motor Company who could not provide me with any information as to what the I/P Fuse panel is or where it is located in order to determine if there is a short. Can you help?

Asked by: Guest | Views: 241

Total answers/comments: 4

Comments display order:

mcgyver89 [Entry]

"I had the same issue with a 2001 Mustang. Here is what I found out in the hopes it will help some one out:

Battery would be dead after a few days if car was not driven. Checked current from battery with car completely turned off. Over 300mA current. Started pulling fuses under the hood. 40A Maxi fuse number 6 caused the current draw to drop to a few milliamps. Problem was shorted output transistors in the Mach sound system bass amp in the trunk (right side). Found it by pulling connectors, one at a time. Seems the amps get standby power to keep the electronics “warm” to avoid a pop when turned on. Found replacement transistors at Digi-Key electronics and fixed it up. All works fine now and car can sit for two weeks and start just fine.

Now for the data that will help you troubleshoot:

When operating normally, remove fuse F6. Put your meter in place of that fuse and set on Milliamps DC. When you close the doors with the car off the meter will read over 200mA (I have an LED dome lamp - yours may vary) until the dome light shuts off. Then the meter will read about 112mA for about 40 minutes. After that the PCM goes into standby and the meter will read about 12mA steady state.

Anything else, and you have something causing a parasitic draw on the battery.

BTW, I mentioned this repair to my daughter who used to drive the car and she said “Oh, yeah. That was Bone Thugs and Harmony”"

mcgyver89 [Entry]

Ok try this: Check battery voltage while car is running. It will probably be around 12v or 12.5, it is not charging at this rate.

mcgyver89 [Entry]

The most common cause with Ford’s battery draining is the voltage regulator located in the alternator. It is not a difficult job to replace once you have the alternator out of the car, and the voltage regulator sells for about $15 on ebay.

mcgyver89 [Entry]

Put a cd in player and leave it in and that will fix Cd payer is looking for cd all the time even when switch is off I found this on my own It works i know and now you can donate a dollar to me Lol