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1990 Chevy Scottsdale 4X4, 5.7 90,000 miles
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kirkbogle
New User
Feb 7, 2013, 11:37 AM
Post #1 of 3
(2046 views)
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1990 Chevy Scottsdale 4X4, 5.7 90,000 miles
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Hello.
Every time I went to start this truck the battery was dead.
Was able to jump start the truck and once it starts it runs pretty well.
Bought a new battery of correct rating.
Problem persisted.
Battery seems to be putting out at about 14
Battery guage indicates it is charging at about 14
Should mention the truck is equiped with a meyer snow plow.
No power is drawn on the plow motor when the truck is shut off and there seem to be no shorts in the plow system.
Figured something was draining the battery even though the truck was turned off - nothing obvious like dome lights, etc.
I put a shut off switch on the ground cables coming off the battery.
That solved the problem for about a week.
Then the battery would be dead again when I went to start the truck (yes, I did remember to switch the ground on again  )
So I went back to jumping it each time.
When ground switch is off there seems to be no battery drain, but ...
Today it wouldn't start even with a jump. The engine doesn't turn at all. I get the clicking and the battery drains down.
Even so, the dome light is strong, the plow operates, the key in ignition warning buzzer is loud and clear.
Got Chilton to trouble shoot the problem.
The first check they recommended was to disconnect the positive cables from the battery and test for juice between that and the positive battery pole. Sure enough there is.
Chilton said that means that there is a short in the electrical system that must be remedied before any components can be reliably tested.
Question one:
If I systematically pull fuses from the bank under the dash and re-check for juice between battery positive and disconnected positive cable, and if the test light doesn't turn on, can I assume that the short is in the wiring for whatever that fuse is intended to interrupt?
Question two:
Can I assume that somewhere there is a hot wire that has made contact with a ground wire or the frame of the truck?
Question three:
Am I barking up the wrong tree? If so, are there any obvious places to check or to start in a sytematic way?
Thanks very much in advance to anyone that can help.
Sincerely
Kirk
P.s
It's snowing. 
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speed
User
Feb 7, 2013, 12:08 PM
Post #2 of 3
(2022 views)
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Re: 1990 Chevy Scottsdale 4X4, 5.7 90,000 miles
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For question one that is the easiest way to go about identifying what circuit the problem is in if there is no evident visual cues as to the issue
For question 2 no it should not be a short to ground a hot wire that is shorted to ground would blow a fuse because there is absolutely no resistance and therefore free current flowing when that happens current exceeds the rated amperage of fuses and blows the fuse or if its unfused will most likely melt the wire in which case your power would stop draining. Its more likely you have an issue with a light staying on it is something to do with some kind of load staying on after the key is turned off, your plow being the perfect type of load to drain a battery
Question 3 id say your definitely on the right path do the fuse pulling and see what you come up with, if you have a multimeter that can read amperage you check the amperage draw on the battery as well to help eliminate circuits based on current draw be careful though as you could very easily blow the fuse in your meter if the current is to great for it to handle so make sure your ignition is off when performing these tests.
GM ASEP 26 SCC Milford ASE certified in Brakes and Electrical on Thursday April 5th 2012
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 7, 2013, 4:07 PM
Post #3 of 3
(1999 views)
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Re: 1990 Chevy Scottsdale 4X4, 5.7 90,000 miles
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If you disconnected the battery while it was parked, then you eliminated all possibility of a parasitic draw. If the battery went dead while it was parked and disconnected, then you have a bad battery. If it went dead while it was being used, then you have a charging system issue.
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