Odd battery issue: need help!

[FiveO]

Hey gang...been awhile since I've posted here...but my car is in the shop right now and I'm having a very very odd battery charging issue. I was hoping for some thoughts.

Couple things:

32,xxx miles
Trilogy kit 48...450rwhp
2.8 pulleys installed by Lidio
Alpine stereo / amp / sub / cd changer
Val 1 hard wired
Custom alarm / auto start

Custom headlight changeover ( to Bosch switches and several fuses ) (Don't ask my why the original owner had the headlights put on switches and fuses..but the box is right by the battery and was fine for the first few years).


And the biggie:

Optima Yellow top...750 CCA.

Ok..so about 2-3 years ago I started to go through batteries...1 Optima per year. Not charging the battery would drain and ruin the battery..went through at least 1 this way.

I bought a 2A trickle charger and its worked great. No issues if I hooked it up to the charger. The battery would go dead after about 10 days in the garage if I didn't hook the charger up. No biggie..I can deal with that.

Last year I started to have real issues...2 days and the battery was dead. BUT...I also started to have another issue....no brights. I would wiggle the fuse station by the battery and the brights would come on. So I knew there was an issue and just put it off...(haven't driven her much lately). So fast forward to this spring....new Optima.

I brought it into the shop yesterday...found a great shop in town and the guy pulled everything apart.

The fuse station (3 fuses mains, brights and fogs) was shorting out and arcing to create the switch to stay on ( water was getting in there ). That seems to be the issue with that. He rewired the headlights and everything is working very well....no more issues with the headlights. He even put them in a more weather secure ( no water ) type of enclosure.

But....its still pulling 340 milliamps after 30 minutes....this is key. It should be down more about 115-120 milliamps. This was even AFTER the arcing fix on the headlights.

I haven't called Trilogy..yet...but does anyone know how long the pump is supposed to stay on after you turn it off? Mines been shutting off at 11 minutes and 45 seconds. I'm guessing this is supposed to happen. Its been consistent.


The guy I have looking at it pulled and checked everything...the stereo is NOT the draw...the VAL 1 is hard wired but NOT on. The alarm pulls the same milliamps when its on as when its off...right about 340-350.



Couple questions:


Does ANYONE have any idea what could be pulling on the battery after the car is off for 20-30 minutes.

Main computer?

Has ANYONE ever checked what their car pulls milliamps wise when on? when off?


Just looking for some input.


Thanks all!



And BTW: She's been running like a top speed/power wise since the 2006 rebuild :) fun, fast and enjoyable! Just gotta get this pesky charging issue taken care of!


Mark
Trilogy 48
SSHS Champ 2004 :)

[jdenning002]

I had this problem on my 01 Taurus, if I didn't drive it for a few days it wouldnt start and it was eating batteries every 6 months...

I had installed a DEI alarm/ remote start several years before, so on a hunch I pulled it out and that was the end of the problems.... I re-installed it a year or so later and the problem was back, I think it may have been the relay pack for the remote start.

I know you said that they checked the alarm draw, but just to see I would try pulling the fuse/ fuses for the alarm/ remote start and see if that helps...

Hopefully someone else has some more insight.

[Peace2Peep]

Check your glovebox dude...light staying on?

[FiveO]

Thanks for the info jdenning...I'll check it out.

Appreciate it.

And I don't believe my glovebox light is on :)

[RoyLPita]

Check for a draw somewhere and the wiring to the alternator that was modified when the Trilogy Kit was installed.

[FordNut]

Isolation is about the only way to chase it down. Maybe start by disconnecting the alternator. Then start pulling fuses one-by-one. Start with the add-on accessories.

[FiveO]

Got the car back this afternoon and the mechanic did a great job.

He fixed the headlights (relays and fuses) and remounted the box in a different area as I needed a new and more powerful battery.

I scrapped the Optima Yellowtop and went with a larger one...more like the stock type.

Seems to be working very well.

I have it narrowed down (on the draw) to the alarm/autostart. If it doesn't get any better in the next few days I'll call the people that installed it and talk with them.


Thanks for the info people...appreciate all the help :)