tbb2

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02-12-24
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damp and cold
Ignition to Start
- DASH GOES BLACK
-- Starter clicks 3 times and engine starts
- Drives normally
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05-15-24
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multiple days of rain
NO START … NO DASH LIGHTS
- disconnect battery overnight
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05-16-24
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Reconnect battery
Check 01
- power to dash
-- van starts
-- put in Drive. Engine sounds like it loses power. Attempt to move and engine stalls.
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Check 02
- power to dash
-- battery gauge reads 11.5v
-- van starts after hesitation
--- battery gauge reads 14 volts
-- run engine till warm
-- put in Drive. Engine sounds normal. Move a few feet forward and back. No hesitation.
- engine Off, ignition On
-- battery gauge reads 12.75v
----
- disconnect negative battery cable
- suspecting parasitic drain
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Battery test #1:
- 79 degrees
- 12.64 V
- 594 CCA (700 CCA rating)
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05-17-24
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hook up battery to charger set at 2 Amp.
- charging needle goes to 2 Amps and rapidly drops almost to starting position at Zero.
----
- disconnect negative battery terminal
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05-23-24
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- connect negative battery cable
- engine starts, then slows down for some seconds , then idles normally
-- put into drive, engine starts to stall, put back in park and engine idles normally
-- in Park rev engine, hesitation when settling back to idle
- engine 3/4 way to warmed up
-- shift to Drive ... no change in engine
--- drive several feet forward and back again ... no change in engine
- take 3 mile warm-up drive ... drives normal
- Park and test headlights, brights, radio, HVAC and blower motor ... no change in engine.
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05-26-24
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Check all fuses in engine compartment and under drivers seat to see if 0.73 mA parasitic draw drops.
- no disconnected circuit changes 0.73 mA parasitic draw.
-- ??
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Multimeter readings come into question
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06-17-24
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Battery test #2:
- 89 degrees
- 573 CCA (700 CCA rating)
- 12.43 V
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current suspects:
- power feed from battery to everything
- starting circuit (also kills dash lights)
- warm-up idle

Any thoughts on why disconnecting the battery would be a "fix" to getting dash lights and for the engine to start?

mountainmanjoe

step 1 have battery + alt load tested

tbb2

I took the battery to a 2nd location and got the same results.
- Old but not Bad.
Had someone watch the volt meter while starting the engine and it went from 12v before starting, dropping to 9v while starting, to 14v with engine running.

I'm moving on to the wiring diagrams.

mountainmanjoe

battery sounds marginal.