View Full Version : Bad LCM and battery?
Matt Johnson
02-17-2011, 09:16 AM
Can a bad LCM drain the battery?
RoyLPita
02-17-2011, 09:30 AM
Sure. The LCM is supposed to turn off the lights after a certain amount of time if left on.
Unless a relay is hanging that's allowing some of the lights to stay on I doubt it, but with things electrical almost anything could be possible... Any leakage(short) inside the module that discharges the battery in a few hours without lights on, would likely cause over heating(smoke)...
Matt Johnson
02-17-2011, 10:41 AM
Drove car home from shop yesterday after they put on a new serpentine belt and belt tensioner pulley. It was parked for 45 minutes, lights off. Wouldn't start when I went back out. It's been cranking weak before, and the battery had been dead a couple weeks ago because the car was not driven. But I thought all that was behind me.
This is a great ad for a sale, huh?
If the alternator is charging OK, sounds like it's battery time...
BLACKMARAUDER04
02-17-2011, 12:05 PM
I agree. A new battery is in order.
SILVERSURFER03
02-17-2011, 12:31 PM
i will also AGREE battery a MUST
SC Cheesehead
02-17-2011, 03:10 PM
If the alternator is charging OK, sounds like it's battery time...
I agree. A new battery is in order.
i will also AGREE battery a MUST
Yup. How old is the battery?
fastblackmerc
02-17-2011, 03:32 PM
Certainly sounds like you need a new battery. Probably have a dead cell.
SC Cheesehead
02-17-2011, 03:34 PM
Certainly sounds like you need a new battery. Probably have a dead cell.
That's what I'm thinking. A quick trip to the FLAPS and a free battery check would confirm.
We just went through this with E-Dub's SHO.
Matt Johnson
02-17-2011, 05:21 PM
Battery's less than 6 mos old.
But it's at Auto-Zone right now being charged and tested.
Matt Johnson
02-17-2011, 11:21 PM
Battery's fine. It charged up. All good.
What do I troubleshoot next? Alternator? Starter?
MOTOWN
02-17-2011, 11:53 PM
sounds like the alternator, and all your electrical/battery connections, and grounds would be worth checking.
Matt Johnson
02-18-2011, 12:31 AM
What's the inexpensive alternator option?
MOTOWN
02-18-2011, 03:36 AM
What's the inexpensive alternator option?
dont realy know of one, besides with the audio system you have you would be wasting your money.
Bradley G
02-18-2011, 04:21 AM
Having it rebuilt is probably the least expensive option.
Or used.
What's the inexpensive alternator option?
If you have a volt meter you can check the battery voltage with the engine running, lights and accessories on, if voltage isn't at least 13v(should be 14) you defiantly have a charge prob...Guessing you'll measure battery voltage that will be 12v or less depending on state of charge...
Of course you could just check the volt meter on the console, if it isn't above 12v you have a problem...
Matt Johnson
02-18-2011, 03:40 PM
Started car with fully charged battery, drove right to my mechanic (not the dealer guy) who put on the volt meter while engine was running.
Said the alternator was fine (can that be determined just by using the volt meter while the engine's running?)
I turned off the car and the charge fell to 11V. Dropped to 7 when I started it up again.
Mechanic said it was all about the battery.
I took the battery back to Auto Zone and the guy just gave me another brand new one which I immediately installed.
Drove the Mustang to work...
We'll see if the MM starts again next time.
MOTOWN
02-18-2011, 03:57 PM
keep us posted, hope that fixes it.
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