why does my Ford F-150 14th Generation (2021-2024) battery die overnight when parked

Solution

1. Preparation

• Tools Required:
  • Wrench set
  • Digital multimeter or ammeter
  • OBD-II scanner
  • Wire brush or battery terminal cleaner
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent any electrical shorts.

2. Inspect Battery and Connections

• Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove any corrosion.
• Tighten the battery terminals using a wrench to ensure a solid connection.
• Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

3. Perform Parasitic Draw Test

• Disconnect the negative battery terminal again.
• Connect the ammeter in series with the negative battery terminal and the battery cable.
• Observe the reading; it should be under 50 milliamps (mA).
• If the reading is higher, start pulling fuses one at a time to determine the circuit causing the drain.

4. Check for Faulty Components

• If a specific fuse causes the draw to drop significantly, inspect the components associated with that circuit.
• Look for any aftermarket accessories (e.g., alarms, stereo systems) that may have been improperly installed or are malfunctioning.

5. Verify Charging System

• Start the vehicle and use a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery terminals. It should read between 13.7 to 14.7 volts.
• If the voltage is below this range, the alternator may need to be inspected or replaced.