Battery won't hold charge but is good - something's draining?

[WhompBigJeep]

First let me say that I am reeeeeaaally ignorant when it comes to electrical issues so please use small words in your response :D .

I have an 85 Grand Wagoneer (which is for sale by the way) that slowly loses charge on the battery until it is COMPLETELY dead. It has a brand spankin' new alternator and battery, and runs great for a while and then one day you go out and turn the key and....nothing. Not even the check engine light comes on. PLEASE HELP! :(

[ July 21, 2003, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: WhompBigJeep ]

[gsmikie]

i had that problem it was the window switch in the tail gate also check the glove box light and how the radio mem is hooked up

[AJ Johnson]

you need a multimeter to help you out on this one.
first thing you do, is make sure you have a good charge on your battery, then you go to your fuse box, and set your multimeter on the amps or ammeter setting. start at the top, pull each fuse and test across the fuse holder ends.. when you find one that is drawing current, then you know what system is draining the battery. it may be as simple as a wire that has had the insulation rubbed off and is shorted out, or it may be something else. once you isolate which part of your electrical system it is, then you can post here and go from there. Hope I used enough little words for ya!

[gsmikie]

yep like AJ said go outside at night make sure the batt is charged open the hood take the bulb out of the light under the hood if you can have someone help take the neg batt cable off the batt if you see a small spark have your helper walk around the truck to the tail gate while you push and lift the neg batt cable off and on the batt if he does not hear anything wiggle the rear window switch and try again if no spark you found it if you still have spark try under the dash for noises ...........i will still bet its in the tail gate

[Jeepadilly]

Yea and if your battery blows up in your face, you will know that you had one hell of an amp drain and you will have to wait for the ringing in your ears to stop and find that short.... :D

[gsmikie]

my mistake i have been running dry cell's for so long i forgot about batt with juice in them

[Jeepadilly]

Just in fun .....BOOM! :D

[WhompBigJeep]

Well whaddya know? You guys are geniuses. Thanks so much. I ran the test just like AJ said and isolated it. And just like gsmikie said, it was the rear window motor. It was drawing so much power it was blowing the fuse on my tester. You guys rock!

[gsmikie]

yep knees are gone eyes are shot hearing is bad ...but i rember the back window thing...........