1997 Ford F150 4.6 V8

Bought it at auction running perfectly. No battery light. Seems like the battery runs down while running and eventually loses all electrical inside the vehicle. Barely made it home. Starts up, runs perfect, everything works with a jump. New battery and alternator.

I thought for sure I was going to be stranded, but the vehicle seemed to be getting just enough juice to run the fuel pump and ignition. It ran really bad on the highway until I turned the electronic overdrive off.

Junk new alternator? That's my first suspicion.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

maybe. I'd charge the battery and take it somewhere and get an electrical diagnosis run.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Does the battery lamp ever light up? If it's burned out, the alternator won't charge, since the filament is part of the charging circuit (believe it or not).

It seems you have a direct short, but you already knew that.

When I run into something like this I just take to an automotive electrical shop and pay them $20 to figure it out. I might not have them fix it, but it is worth it to have them troubleshoot it just because of the time it saves.

The 'starting with a jump' sounds like a dead cell in the battery. Perhaps you could have it tested? I have bought them brand new and found them to have a dead cell just due to a problem from the factory.

It would start on its own at the sale no problem. Seemed like running everything on the truck slowly drained it until things dramatically quit working.

It is getting looked at tomorrow by my in house mechanic.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I had an alternator fail once when I was 180 miles from the house.

But since it was daytime and I was in the 240D I just chugged right on. Just one of the many good things about not having an ignition system.

However, if it had been raining.........

Does this model Ford have a voltage regulator separate from the alternator? I had a 1999 Expedition with the 4.6, but that was eons ago.

How about this. Take the battery out, trickle charge it overnight and have a battery shop test it. Take alternator out and have a rebuild shop test it. DO NOT GO TO AN AUTOZONE, CARQUEST, ETC ETC. They tested my alternator good and so was the starter. Guess what. When we the rebuild shop took it apart, it was toast. Everytime the car would start after you jumped it if you left it sit for a week or so.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Fords are just evil, even those 95 ^ f150 newer catfish models.

Your best bets true baby blue silveradooo's!

Check the alt lamp yet? Betting on that or the regulator if it doesn't light up at all.

I got this one guys. It's the connection at the starter. I had the same problem with my 2000 F-150.

__________________
For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

Had he bought a mac, he wouldnt have this issue!

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

That much is true.

__________________
For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

x2 check your alternator connections, etc. On the alt you should be able to remove the voltage regulator and check the brushes. If part of a brush broke off, it can cause a short and drain everything. My broken one pulled 4A with the truck off.

What is the battery voltage off? While running @ 1500-2000rpm? Is the truck drawing current when it's off?

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

harbor freight sells a realy cheap digital meter for just a few bucks and sometimes has a coupon in the paper for them for free. Get one and keep it in your ndesk or with you. Good battery should read >12.3v with a good charge. Should not drop too much (below 11v) when cranking. With engine running and nothing turned on should read 13+ at idle and upto 14.5 @2000 rpm