1997 Ford Ranger battery drain

MGH CUSTOM GRAPHICS

MEMBER
1997 FORD RANGER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
167,000 MILES

Battery drains after sitting overnight when outside temperture drops below 35 degrees F. ?

radio, fan, lights, etc are all off.
runs and starts fine once it's started and battery is recharged.

Thanks,

Miike @

M.G.H. CUSTOM GRAPHICS

www. Myspace. Com/mghcustomgraphics

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 9:34 PM

5 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

How old is battery? Have you had it tested as well as the alternator? Great info. about this issue can be found at the link below.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm

Let me know what you find after reading through that info. and I will follow up.

Thanks for using 2CarPros.com!

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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 9:40 PM

MGH CUSTOM GRAPHICS

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3 POSTS

Battery is brand new and alternator still charges when running. Its only when air temp drops below a certain degree

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 8:14 AM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Are battery terminals and wires free of corrosion and tightened properly?

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 12:44 PM

MGH CUSTOM GRAPHICS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes. Terminals are new and tightened properly

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 6:48 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

You need to get the alternator tested as well to rule that out. Part stores will test for free, on or off of vehicle. Cold weather is harsh on the charging system. There are a few items you can purchase that are really handy in the winter for this problem. A trickle charger will keep your battery charged in cold weather. Heated insulator will keep the battery warm which in turn will keep it charged.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 8:40 PM