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Question
I hope you can help.
I have an 86 full size Bronco with a plow. I bought a new battery for it, started it and it was fine. The next day I go to start the Bronco and the battery is dead. Thought it was a bad battery so I bought another. It did the same thing. What could be draining the battery? It isn't anything left on such as lights. It has to be in the engine or plow.
Thanks for your help,
Dan
Dan,
Sometimes, a dirty, or bad switch can cause a drain such as this, but may not be quite enough of a drain to show on a light. I have seen this happen with a stuck/bad brake light switch. Sometimes a bad alternator can cause this to happen also.
If you do suspect the plow, disconnect it after charging the battery, and see if the battery still drains. This would eliminate that. Other than that, you might consider buying a repair manual, and trace out the wiring.
A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20. They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs, including a list of special tools that may be needed for a specific. These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.
Carl
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Carl Brandt
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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