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  #1  
Old 08-20-2017, 05:14 PM
Varilux Varilux is offline
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Default Left key in "on" position overnight...

Stupid mistake...
Been working on my truck in the garage, and have to push it back a couple feet to work on it. Last night when I pushed it back in to close the garage door, I must have thrown it in PARK and then forgot to turn off the key.

Anyway, not surprisingly the battery was toast this morning (but did produce a clicking at the solenoid). I've got the battery recharged, but I can't try to turn the engine over (since I have the thermostat housing removed). Just wondering if I should expect a fried fuel pump or (fingers crossed) does the 4.0 shut down the fuel pump if the key is left in on without the engine running?

If I'm going to need a new pump, I'd hate to wait until Wednesday to find out (that's when the thermostat housing arrives)...
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:50 AM
mazdaman mazdaman is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Take the fan/water pmp belt off , try and start the truck , if it starts you are good , shut it off right away .
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:52 AM
CalebJ CalebJ is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

The fuel pump only runs during the initial priming pulse and when the motor is turning, so no - it would not have been running overnight the way you left it.
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Old 08-21-2017, 11:28 AM
Varilux Varilux is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Thanks- went out and turned the key back to "ON" after the battery was recharged. I could hear the pump cycle on for a second and then shut off, so that's looking good. Also, hit the starter for a second and starter turned over- so it seems as if the Ranger is smarter than I am!

Whew!
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Old 08-23-2017, 09:15 PM
Varilux Varilux is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Finally got to start it back up, and apparently no major damage done.

However, the battery seems to have had it... the volts go only go up to 13v while driving, and with all my off-road lights on the voltage just steadily drops down to around 11v (before, it used to hold steady around 13.8v even with all the lights on).

Been wanting an excuse to install an Optima gel battery anyway!
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Old 08-24-2017, 04:25 AM
mazdaman mazdaman is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Varilux View Post
Finally got to start it back up, and apparently no major damage done.

However, the battery seems to have had it... the volts go only go up to 13v while driving, and with all my off-road lights on the voltage just steadily drops down to around 11v (before, it used to hold steady around 13.8v even with all the lights on).

Been wanting an excuse to install an Optima gel battery anyway!
check the alternator first to see what it is putting out , the battery maybe fine
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:13 AM
Varilux Varilux is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Quote:
Originally Posted by mazdaman View Post
check the alternator first to see what it is putting out , the battery maybe fine
Great minds think alike... checked it last night.

With the engine off, the battery reads 12.1v. With the engine on, the system reads 13.8v (which would indicate to me the alternator is charging- but the battery is nearing the end of it's ability to hold a charge). If there's another way I should be checking, please let me know (always good to learn).

Would also note that- when I recharged the battery from its completely discharged state, it did take a charge- but the charger never kicked off (i.e., the battery never read "full" to the charger). I think the battery is probably still "usable" but the discharge event basically took it to the end of it's life.
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  #8  
Old 08-24-2017, 07:58 AM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: Left key in "on" position overnight...

Lead-acid starting batteries like to be fully charged at all times as this promotes the greatest longevity. When they are drained and left drained, or for example, go somewhere and leave headlights on for half a day, they will be permanently weakened and their life, shortened. Batteries have two components, voltage and amperage, the voltage is easy to test but to evaluate amperage a load test needs to be performed. Most people don't have a load tester laying around; auto parts stores wil have one and test for free. I have found that NAPA has a really nice battery tester that will produce the CCA for a battery. Not sure if the method and results are spot-on, but it at minimum I'd expect a reasonable ballpark figure.
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