Bay Area Electrical System Specialist

[syndicate1]

Hey guys!

Can someone recommend a goodBay Area mechanic or shop that knows EB electrical systems? My bronco is '74 with 302 and C4 automatic transmission. I have two new issues.

1. I drive my bronco as a weekend driver and occasionally during the week if the weather is nice. After I installed a new battery a month ago, I think something is draining my battery. My car sat for a week in the garage and when I went to start the truck.... The battery was DEAD. No juice, nothing! This has happened twice and now my bronco is sitting in the garage.

2. I installed a new ignition switch from one of the typical Bronco vendors. Sometimes the engine stays running after I turn the ignition to off and even remove remove the key. The engine will turn off after I quickly bump the ignition to "start".

Electrical systems aren't my thing, So frustrating!

Thanks!!

 

[TN1776]

Are you running the factory harness or aftermarket?
About the only way to identify what is draining the battery is to disconnect the negative battery cable, put a (preferably digital) voltmeter between the cable and negative post, set it on amps, and then pull one fuse at a time until the drain goes to zero or nearly zero.

Once you have identified the circuit, then you get to go out and identify any/all components on that fused circuit and start investigating.

You might start easy though... I have had both a faulty starter and a faulty alternator drain batteries before on mine.

I am no help with finding a good shop; most shops do not want to even look at an older vehicle around here.

 

[stagecoach]

I would give Florentine Miranda a call. He is in Hayward over near the airport. 510 732 0945. He has done work on my 74 and did it well. He is auto electric repair. 1999 national ave.

Art

 

[syndicate1]

Are you running the factory harness or aftermarket?
About the only way to identify what is draining the battery is to disconnect the negative battery cable, put a (preferably digital) voltmeter between the cable and negative post, set it on amps, and then pull one fuse at a time until the drain goes to zero or nearly zero.

Once you have identified the circuit, then you get to go out and identify any/all components on that fused circuit and start investigating.

You might start easy though... I have had both a faulty starter and a faulty alternator drain batteries before on mine.

I am no help with finding a good shop; most shops do not want to even look at an older vehicle around here.

I'm running the factory harness. ALL of the electrical system is original.

Someone told me that it could be the "park" sensor/wiring on the transmission. What do you think? I just don't want to dump a shi*t ton on money chasing this PITA problem.

Thanks!

 

[Rustytruck]

Check your brake light switch. Check your headlight switch and make sure it isn't turned all the way to the dome light. These are most common problem areas. I would also check your starter relay. With the key off there are not allot of live circuits. Check them all one at a time. I would use a 12 volt light bulb wired between the ground cable and the negative battery post. Just don't try to start the Bronco. Unplug and re-plug one item at a time until the light goes out.

The Bronco running after you turn the Bronco off is not a good sign for the new switch. I would check and redo those connections.

So what has live connections with the key off?
Headlights / Dome switch.
horn, and relay if you have a relay
Starter relay,
alternator,
brake lights,
voltage regulator
cigarette lighter
some times after market radio.

 

[welndmn]

If you're up in the east bay, I'm happy to help you fix it.