Battery dies instantly when I turn key

HuskyMiller · #1 08-02-2011, 04:03 AM

Saturday afternoon I got in my '94 Ranger to discover it would not start. (I may have possibly left exterior/interior dome light on. I'm not sure). When I tried to start, all the lights and bells came on but after three or four attempts to start all went dead. I jumped it with another car and all was fine. (I thought.) I did not move or drive my truck at that time. The next day on Sunday afternoon I go to start the truck and it's dead again. (can't recall if it was totally dead or quickly died after attempting to start.) I pulled the battery (a 16 month old Sears Gold) and took it to be tested. The next morning (Monday), I pick up the battery and the guy at Sears tells me the battery is recharged and shows me the Cold Cranking power at 770. (More than the 700 it is rated for.) I go home, install the battery and drive to work. On the way to work (at least 35 miles) I make 3 stops along the way and the truck restarts just fine. I get to work at 10 am and check to see if the truck will start three hours later around 1:30. it starts fine. I leave work 5 hrs later at 6:30 and the truck starts fine. I make 3 stops on the way home and the truck starts fine every time. I get up this morning at 6 am (10 hours after I last started the truck) and guess what... the lights come on, the door chime rings, I stick the key in, the dash lights up, my A/C is blowing and the moment I turn the key EVERYTHING INSTANTLY DIES. What the fudge is going on here?

By the way, this may or may not have anything to do with it, but I NEVER used my a/c until about two weeks ago. (been at least 5 years since it blew cold air.) But it's just been too hot so I had some coolant installed and have been lovin' me some cool air for the last couple weeks. I have owned this truck over a decade and this is the first time it has let me down so this is really bumming me out.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

sgtsandman · #2 08-02-2011, 06:01 AM

Try checking your grounds first but I'm inclined to think you might have a short in the wiring somewhere that is draining the battery.

FireRanger · #3 08-02-2011, 06:15 AM

A short in the wiring would pop fuses and a disconnected ground would resulting things not working at all.

If its working after being charged and then drains over time, one of two things is happening
1) You have something that isn't turning off at night, such as the glove box light, dome light, or other sneaky device.

2) The alternator is not charging the battery. If the battery light isn't on, it could be the fusible link connecting the alternator output to the underhood power distribution box or the alternator fuse in the underhood power distribution box. Either of these would cause your battery to not be recharged while the engine is running.

JOISEY KIDS RANGER · #4 08-04-2011, 03:54 PM

Hello:
My 1996 Ranger 3.0L with second engine installed 1 month clicks and goes totally dead. The battery tested good 6 months old and the good cranking AMP one. The starter did have crank issues with having shims in it noted by my mechanic guru. I need reassurance that this sounds more like electric or starter issue and not a seized engine. Started was installed 1.5 months ago not knowing old engine was bad.

.. Any Clues or comments greatly appreciated.

HuskyMiller · #5 08-07-2011, 08:57 PM

Thanks to all that responded for the help. Turns out I had some pretty nasty battery corrosion stopping me from getting good contact. I cleaned the posts and contacts with battery cleaner to get me through the week, and today replaced both the positive and negative clamps (trimming back to some clean wire) and added anti corrosion pads. I'm good to go.

Thanks again.

Unashamed116 · #6 08-10-2011, 07:02 PM

One of your battery cables is loose, probably the ground connector right at the battery. If you can get the lights to come back on; disconnect ground connection at the battery and put it back on...then try to start the vehicle in the dark with the hood up and someone watching under the hood---loose battery cable...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMiller

Saturday afternoon I got in my '94 Ranger to discover it would not start. (I may have possibly left exterior/interior dome light on. I'm not sure). When I tried to start, all the lights and bells came on but after three or four attempts to start all went dead. I jumped it with another car and all was fine. (I thought.) I did not move or drive my truck at that time. The next day on Sunday afternoon I go to start the truck and it's dead again. (can't recall if it was totally dead or quickly died after attempting to start.) I pulled the battery (a 16 month old Sears Gold) and took it to be tested. The next morning (Monday), I pick up the battery and the guy at Sears tells me the battery is recharged and shows me the Cold Cranking power at 770. (More than the 700 it is rated for.) I go home, install the battery and drive to work. On the way to work (at least 35 miles) I make 3 stops along the way and the truck restarts just fine. I get to work at 10 am and check to see if the truck will start three hours later around 1:30. it starts fine. I leave work 5 hrs later at 6:30 and the truck starts fine. I make 3 stops on the way home and the truck starts fine every time. I get up this morning at 6 am (10 hours after I last started the truck) and guess what... the lights come on, the door chime rings, I stick the key in, the dash lights up, my A/C is blowing and the moment I turn the key EVERYTHING INSTANTLY DIES. What the fudge is going on here?

By the way, this may or may not have anything to do with it, but I NEVER used my a/c until about two weeks ago. (been at least 5 years since it blew cold air.) But it's just been too hot so I had some coolant installed and have been lovin' me some cool air for the last couple weeks. I have owned this truck over a decade and this is the first time it has let me down so this is really bumming me out.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

FireRanger · #7 08-11-2011, 04:13 AM

Did you even read the post you just quoted??? He fixed it. It's done.