Battery and other HOTs have contiuity to ground

[EvilleIron]

Hi,
Choptop, I was just scanning the forum archives for similar problems and just finished reading one from October that you helped someone with.

This should be simple, the truck is just a motor and a muncie. hydro brakes.
I mean it has the wiring of a hot rod. No options what-so ever.

I'll get back to you tonight after work, but here's where I'm at.

Tuesday it had to be charged to start and fired right up fine.
The voltmeter in the truck is reading 25% past 13v.
I didnt do any more readings since I put it all back together.
I drove it home without using any electrical things like lights/radio in case the battery was carrying me.

I'll try to start it this morning and put it on the charger for the day if need be.

TIA
Brian

[choptop]

I have to be honest, but Im not very good at estimating the voltage on the gauges of our trucks. They are a good reference,but nothing else. When you get a chance, take your Fluke as see what the battery voltage is when its running. If you can get a measurement before you start it (if it will start) that may also tell us something. If the battery is low, then its normal for it to charge hi until it reaches full charge. but something is still draining it. What model fluke do you have? I may be able to tell you how to check for amperage drain with it. If your not getting the spark that you previously have when you connected the battery, you may have a bad battery. Anytime you drain a battery down to where it wont do its job, you cut its life in half. So depending on how many times this battery has been dead, it may be going out completely real soon. Let us know.

[EvilleIron]

I'm at work, now.
It did start this morning after sitting 2 days, but I could tell it was losing charge.

The fluke T3 is just an led voltage tester (up to 480v), with continuity tester.
I also have mutimeters of different brands.

I'll get back to it tonight after work, thank you.

Brian

[EvilleIron]

The truck started when I got home, just fine.
The voltmeter of the truck is still over 13v.

the truck just sits most of the time, till I haul heavy stuff.
Now it feels like it needs a complete tune up.

[EvilleIron]

As of yesterday, all of the electrical, starting and charging parts have been replaced.

The voltmeter in the dash is still high.
I think I have a rubbed wire somewhere to chassis.

I did the plugs and wires, cleaned the carb and it runs very strong again.

Thanks for the help.

Brian

[VileZambonie]

What does your hand held meter tell you?

[choptop]

Agreed, Id like to know exactly what voltage is getting to the battery before you go any further. You may be ok.

[Irish_Alley]

the continuity could be coming from the radio or something like that the voltage could be just like chop said the gauge could be wrong.

[EvilleIron]

Thanks for all the help.
I took it to a friends shop and he did all the testing and also changed the ignition switch on top of the column.
He found a relay that was very hot to the touch. It's a blue plastic covered cube relay.

Upon opening it up, the relay was burnt. I have no idea what the relay goes to.
The truck is pushing 14v while idling. everything is working as before.

The only thing the truck has that is not stock, is the wiring for a 2way radio like a commercial motorola.
I dont know what the problem is or was, but Im glad its working.

Now I can work on my '96 K2500TD -again.

Brian