I have a dodge ram van 1986 (318 propane). I and my mechanic don't understand why the battery is dying when parked.

It charges when running, but when parked it dies. If running an hour or two, it can sit an hour or two. When running 30 minutes, it can sit maybe 10 15.

The battery is new (the same problem led me to replace the battery, thinking it was a battery that was over with).

There is an issue with the #7 fuse. For the last 2 years of owning it, I have had to remove the #7 or it will die. Now, too, keeping the #7 in will appear as a drain on the battery (multimeter). But even removing the #7, it will drain and die when turned off.

Doesn't appear to be any strong drain on the battery without #7 (multimeter). Battery seems to charge well.

No idea even where to look for a problem. I think its something to do with the wiring/electrical/7, but no idea.

Thanks for any ideas

 

According to your fuse index, what does the #7 fuse power?

 

The last time I had a problem like that, it was the ignition switch.

 

The #7 powers interior lights (dome and other roof lights), power door locks.

Two other things. The radio doesn't work any more, it seems. It turns on and can pick up some sort of frequency (barely audible talking), but the radio display doesn't come on and the "seek" button etc doesn't work. Also, the power window on the drivers side door. This was "on the fritz" for a while months ago. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. Now it seems to not work.

My mechanic hooked me up with a good used battery which I used to drive back from holidays yesterday, and I have disconnected it when parked to test how the battery does this way.

What did you do to fix your ignition switch, Sparkzz?

 

I replaced it with a new one from Autozone. Took me about an hour. I have a '94 B250.

 

#7 has a very similar issue like my van. It controls the dome lights. The door switches corrode over time and can short or just arc for battery draining. My passenger door switch is doing this now. I just keep the fuse out.

There is a TSB dealing with power door locks. If your van is not equipped with them, pull out the relay/fuse. This will cause a drain too. This was added at the factory without checking if power or manual locks were equipped.

As for the radio, carefully pop the trim off and pull the radio out. Look for the ground strap. Replace the strap or fix it. Then check the antenna connection to the back of the radio. Also check the antenna wire to the side fender panel for a ground short.