Something keeps draining my battery. Here is a little history. Check engine light has been on for several years, had it cleared once but came back on but still ran fine. Over the last year have had passenger floor board wet after heavy rain. Over last several months odd things happening with warning lights especially after it rains. Shows doors open kept locking and unlocking door after stopping 3 times and open close all doors and trunk finally works and lights go out. This has happened a few times now. Emergency brake light on even though not engaged. Would go out then back on then finally went out and stayed out. Oil light will come on, check oil is fine. Then light goes back off. Now gas cap light came on even though gas cap is locked. Gas cap light has stayed on. About 3 months ago, battery dead. Jumped, started right up. A week later, dead again, jumped, had battery checked. Tested fine, took to mechanic explained what was happening they said alternator bad. They ordered one was not the right one, ordered a 2nd one also not the right one. Mechanic sent picture and finally received the one that mounted the same as mine. Evidently there are 3 listed for my car and mine was the most expensive. Mechanic said had something to do with voltage? $400 for part and labor. Ran fine for almost 2 months then dead again, jumped and 3 days later dead again. Back to mechanic they said alternator bad and replaced again at no charge. Not even 2 weeks later dead again. Had not driven for approx. 5 days took longer to jump but did finally start. Need to go back to mechanic. I still think has to be electrical problem as something keeps draining battery. Any ideas? I feel like I am doing research for the mechanic but need to get this corrected. Car has 95,000 miles
Keywords:Taurus
Well, lets go down the list for you.
1) Check engine light – emissions related unless it flashes, will not disrupt drivability and need codes to dig deeper but fine to drive like this.
2) Shows doors open – This is a common FORD issue with the door latches going bad, the most common being the drivers door latch as it is used the most often). It also allows the dome light to stay on as it thinks the door is still open.
3) brake light on – since the light comes on and goes off this tends to be related to the brake fluid level. Add a little brake fluid and should stay out. – How to check fluid levels
4) Oil light will come on – since the level is full the most likely reason for the light to be coming on would be the sensor itself.
5) Gas cap light – When there is a small EVAP leak in the system it will set a code and display the gas cap message as it is the most common reason but not limited to. A small vacuum leak in the evap system anywhere will create this issue. Again it is emissions related and fine to drive it this way.
6) Alternator bad – Generally getting a bad alternator is common for RE-MANUFACTURED alternators.
7) something keeps draining Battery – From reviewing the situations you have been rendered I have concluded that the door latch is draining the battery and causing you to have to jump start it. An additional problem is all the jump starting. Jump starting the battery shortens the life span of the battery each time it is jumped. This damages the battery and doesn’t take too many jump starts to ruin a battery. Once the battery is internally damaged it can create an internal short and would require the alternator to work overtime and in some cases damage the alternator.
So for my money and to save you some money in the long run, I would have the alternator tested again and replaced as it is still under warranty. Have the drivers door latch replaced. ( you can check to see if the dome light is staying on if you wish ahead of time to confirm it but 99% certain of this as it is that common). And Replace the Battery with a NEW quality battery. The battery is the life line of the entire car.
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