Remove the nut and leave the wire loose. A shorted diode will charge the
battery with the engine running but drain it with the engine off. Like
Jim said be sure you have a good battery and be sure your terminals are
clean. Good luck.


Ron

Steve wrote:
> On 9/11/06 3:01 PM, in article ,
> "Ron Bozich" > wrote:
>
>
>>Steve wrote:
>>
>>>My 98 Explorer Limited battery dies if I don't drive it for 7 to 10
>>>days--which is quite often. I've had the charging system and battery checked
>>>at a couple of auto parts stores and they said both are good. We did notice
>>>an amp draw of 2 amps with the vehicle off and a spikes up higher than that.
>>>But when I check the amp draw at home when it hasn't been running it's a
>>>constant .24 amps. So I'm thinking maybe the 2 amps at the store were due to
>>>something still running after driving it. I did start the engine and ran it
>>>for 30 seconds or so and shut it off and it was again at .24 amps.
>>>
>>>On second thought we may have had the door open when checking it at the
>>>store and I've noticed when I open the door the amp draw goes up to 4.83
>>>amps. I don't know what the dome lights should draw, but that seems like a
>>>lot me. Maybe not?? There are 4 interior lights plus one under each external
>>>mirror that light up when the door opens.
>>>
>>>Anyway, isn't .24 amps still too high with all lights off? I've pulled fuses
>>>to find that removing fuse 25 (Generic Electronic Module, Instrument
>>>Cluster, Securi-Lock) drops the amp draw down to .01 amps. This vehicle has
>>>a Message Center computer which displays mileage, fuel range, distance
>>>traveled, System Check, etc. Don't know if that places much of a current
>>>drain while the engine is off.
>>>
>>>Any ideas on what I should do now? Thanks for any help.
>>>
>>>Steve
>>>
>>
>>Check your alt, a bad diode will and can kill a good battery in 10 days
>>or less. Pull the B+, large wire, off the back of your alt and check
>>your system again.
>>
>>Ron
>
>
> Ron, could you clarify this for me? The alternator has a black wire with an
> orange stripe that is attached with a nut as well as a plug-type connector
> with green and yellow wires on it. Are you saying to disconnect one of these
> connectors and then just test the amp draw again? Thanks.
>
> Steve
>
>