ajccmc

I have a 2003 Escape that the battery now drains down over night. Its not the battery as I have put 2 new ones in. Its not the charging system, as if I jump start it and give 10-15 minutes, the battery is charged enough to start it back up.

I have a 2008 Escape also, I put my amp meter inline on it and it shows 70-80 (milliamps) , I did the same on the 2003, I got 140-150... higher but I doubt not enough to drain it over night.

About 2 months ago, I swapped the 6-cd changer for a 1-cd/with cass. I thought that might be it, so I swapped it back ... the problem is still there.

Any ideas on how to find the problem?

Thanks in advance,
ajcccmc

360ci

Electrical gremlins are hard to pinpoint. What I would do, is a bit of a PITA, but should help you narrow down the problem is to remove a couple of fuses each night and then replace them the following morning before you start the vehicle. If the vehicle starts fine and the voltmeter is at or above 14V (you can check this with a multimeter directly on the battery contacts), then you have to narrow it down more to which one of those fuses is the culprit. Keep in mind, one fuse might run several items in the vehicle.

Be sure, if you have any 12V accessories plugged into the vehicle, that they are all removed. Make sure the fan is set to OFF and the radio is OFF (radio shouldn't drain battery if left on low with the vehicle off overnight, but one never knows!). By narrowing down the circuits you should easily enough pinpoint the problem area.

Also, make sure all wiring under the hood is properly connected and no wires are exposed, either from loose connection (someone tried to pull a connector apart and forgot to depress the safety lock!), or a failed, melted wire that's grounding out.

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'00 Durango R/T 360ci 290hp (modded); 138,500m
'06 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L 220hp; 44,000m
'12 Chrysler 200 Limited 3.6L 283hp; 13,000m
'99 Taurus 3.0L 2V Vulcan 145hp; 154,300m - Traded
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