Automotive electrical specialist
 

I have a 2010 Ford F350 with an electrical problem. Something is draining the battery, and also, the radio doesn't work most of the time.

I've had both Irwin's and my regular mechanic look at it, and both cannot identify the problem.

Is there an automotive electrical specialist in the area that anyone knows of?

I do not know of a specialist but...

When my cars have acted strangely I have done google searches on the symptoms. Several times the trouble is not limited to my car. It seems that somebody, simewhere has experienced it before and posted a solution. In the case of my Honda CRV's I have discovered service bulletins that included part numbers and repair procedures.

I suspect you are not alone!

Neil's Garage
 

Was able to fix my friend's Silverado when all else fails.

Seems like the CEL light will glow after filling up with E85 ethanol in Mass. Ever since the CEL light remained on. Dealers and indies could not get the damn thing off! I sent him to Neil's and he diagnose the problem after a couple of hours. Something about one of the sensors was bad.

He's in Laconia at the junction of South Main and 106. In the old Pontiac garage. 603.524.7564

A specialist? Probably not.

Just a good old time mechanic that has worked on cars and trucks for decades.

Try Larson's at Airport Road in Moultonborough.

If he can't fix it then you need to call in for the Ford Regional Service Rep. Through any Ford dealership.

Since you have identified a problem with the radio, have you removed the fuse for the radio? Try that and see if the battery still drains.

Since mechanics have looked at it I assume they have checked the battery itself. An old or bad battery would look like a battery that is draining.

Try disconnecting the Alternator and see if it still drains the battery. I've seen Ford alternators short out in internally and still charge when running. I'm not saying that's it but it's an easy thing to eliminate from the equation.

Thanks to all for the suggestions (thanks feature not working yet per Webmaster). Will try these things and report findings. One thing: I have put 2 new batteries in the truck in the last 4 years. It's also on a trickle charger most of the time.

Electrical issues can be the worst, maybe more so than mechanical ones because of the unknowns and having to trace wires back to buried harnesses. Check for lights left on in places you don't normally go into (i.e. Glovebox light, under hood light, etc.). You could pull fuses in areas that are suspect - someone had posed this idea with the radio fuse. Until you get it rectified you can get one of those $5 manual battery shutoff switches. They allow you to isolate the power to the battery when parked. I use them on several of my older vehicles during winter storage periods to keep the battery fresh and to prevent any parasitic draw. They are on eBay and some of the local parts stores stock them too. I wish you luck! :liplick:

Thank you.

And if you a clever and hide the switch for it in the dash somewhere it is a redneck and highly effective anti-theft device ;)