Electrical problem

[dieselgooroo]

Ok I don't have much info but I am looking at buying a 2000 7.3 standard shift f350. Emailed the dealer and they said it has a electrical problem something keeps draining the battery. What would cause this. Or is it a needle in a hay stack to find it. The main part that worries me is its a Ford dealer and they said they don't know what is causing it. That is the current info I plan on calling tomorrow so I'll post what they say.

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[JSchuricht]

It is a needle in a hay stack. Start by disconnecting one battery and hooking up a ammeter to the other. Start pulling fuses till you find the draw.

[NoRalPh]

It can be a "needle" but, there actually is some track record with draws that you can take advantage of...

I don't know how you would do this if you don't own the truck, it takes time along with trial & error tactics. Personally, I'd Love to have a truck I wanted to be diagnosed like this It's most often Not an expensive fix but a wonderful excuse to pay little for the truck for having it...

Pull certain fuses, one at a time, and look for it to change. Most likely are Radio, Cluster, & Alternator (not just bad for not recharging, but unplugging it because IT can have a draw). You can also have chafed through wiring (look around the valvecover harnesses and sometimes under the doorsils).

Sometimes you can have a bad Glow Plug Relay.

[dieselgooroo]

That's my main question what the chances of it being expensive to fix. Or is it a matter of finding it.

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[NoRalPh]

My guess would be, that's why they're not fixing it. The dealer has said it's an "open ended ticket" and the cost will primarily be the $100+ hr labor X ????? (how ever long it takes to track it down)

It's not Rocket Science, just can take a lot of time if you're unlucky

I'd low-ball the crap out of the guy

[dieselgooroo]

Yea my plans to low ball it. It's from a dealer though so they could just hold out.

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[NoRalPh]

A Word of Caution.....

This IS a gamble, there is always the chance that the seller knows exactly what's wrong and it could be expensive...

I'd find out who the dealer is and go and talk with them. Say their customer wants to sell you his truck, since they Know the vehicle, you'd naturally take it to them for the repair and just wondered what you might be in for

It's a used truck, I'm sure there are other issues too. It's always worth getting an inspection and estimate for repair as further "ammo" for the low-ball...

Good Luck!

EDIT: (we posted at the same time )

The DEALER doesn't want to fix it!!! I don't like that... That doesn't make sense to me, I'd definitely take it somewhere for and inspection and get a list of "needed" repairs.

[dieselgooroo]

Originally Posted by NoRalPh

The DEALER doesn't want to fix it!!! I don't like that... That doesn't make sense to me, I'd definitely take it somewhere for and inspection and get a list of "needed" repairs.

That's what I have been thinking. If they don't want to fix it ????? How bad is it.


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[NoRalPh]

Is this a Ford Dealership (who will give you a warranty, maybe minus the draw issue) or some Used car lot? If it's an independent car lot, he knows exactly what the problem is.... I'd walk away

[dieselgooroo]

It's at a Ford dealership. They said they had a guy on it for a day and half. And couldn't figure it out. They are supposed to call me back with there best price is. Of its low enough I'll be pretty interested bit if they come back to high I'll just let them sit on it for a while

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