2004 thunderbird with all sorts of problems needs a lot of help PLEASE!

[vicsrc]

I am about to buy this bird from a friend of mine
So far it has a battery drain problem and a water leaking problem with a hose ( no major problem with the hose)
I drove the car home to check it out and it has not moved since. It had sat for three years so I replaced the 7 year old battery and it restarted fine.
The next morning the battery was drained and the car would not start. I put the charger on it and it cranked and started . The next day it would not start again.
I removed the positive cable and charged the battery when I connected the terminal I noticed a large spark at the terminal so I used my amp meter to measure the drain on the battery was 16 amps and all the external lights were on. I checked the light switch and it was off. I pulled the SSP 1-4 relays to kill the lights and the fog/running lights were still on so pulling the fuse to that circuit killed that light also.
The car still would not give any indication when the key was inserted . After replacing all the parts removed it still had a drain. I left the positive terminal disconnected for about 1 hr. I connected the terminal and the car started. Any ideas as to what would cause this problem?

[5bird7]

That seems to be a serious drain. I'm not into the electronics on these cars but
other drain points are:

alarm system if the car is locked when you're not around.
hardtop on? check to see if the button for rear window defroster is on
light on in the trunk? trunk latch might not be closing properly
interior light scroll dial in the top position
(there are more spots that can cause a problem)
however these usually take a week or more to drain a battery if there is a problem with them.

or the replacement battery is bad - that happens more often these days than you'd expect.

otherwise, I suspect a short or a bad ground but where? Look for any worn spots in the wiring (much of which is covered) or any corrosion, particularly since it's been wet from the hose leak.
Hope the steelblue5505 reads this thread as he's good with the electronics.

[Rondor]

I can't think of an issue more difficult to deal with than the one you describe,. My experience has taught me (the hard way ) that if the obvious isn't the problem it's better to pay someone with the proper equipment and knowledge to diagnose the problem' I would like to have the money I have spent on trying just one more thing'

[007Cruiser]

Looking in as a neutral third party, I think the answer is a simple one. Don’t buy it unless he has been able to get it going. Your friendship is more important than a car.

[steelblue5505]

It would be helpful to know more about the car. Which year? Is the hard top on? Has the entertainment module been changed to a aftermarket unit? Are there any other electrical aftermarket add ons?

Tell more about water leak. Water coming into where, the cabin, around the dash, into the trunk, under the hood? Down inside driver's door?

Do you see any wiring that does not look like factory wiring that may indicate some accessory once was added but been removed?

[ErvinRitter]

You may try pulling the fuse over 15 amps one at a time to find the circuit that has that high draw. check your amp meter after pulling each fuse. if there is a cigerette lighter check that for a short in the plug in lighter.

good luck

[vicsrc]

It would be helpful to know more about the car. Which year? Is the hard top on? Has the entertainment module been changed to a aftermarket unit? Are there any other electrical aftermarket add ons?

Tell more about water leak. Water coming into where, the cabin, around the dash, into the trunk, under the hood? Down inside driver's door?

Do you see any wiring that does not look like factory wiring that may indicate some accessory once was added but been removed?

The water leak is at the thermostat housing. the only alteration that I know of is a lowering kit that has left the car with no cushion at all
I am wondering if there is a cable that could have been pinched
The car is the 2004 model and the hard top is not on it.
I cant get anymore info from the previous owner as they are going through a possible divorce and I dont want to take sides
I am a retired IBM tech and I know my way around a wiring diagram but in 28 years of shooting bugs I have never seen anything like this
There has to be a relay or a module that is hanging up but in looking at the wiring diagram all relays and modules are dependent on each other pulling one relay will cause the others to not function properly
Unfortunately the wiring diagram is more of a big picture drawing than a schematic
If you would like to call me let me know

[steelblue5505]

Since you mentioned that the car had been lowered here is a thought.
On the pass side of the car there is large wire harness that comes into the engine compartment from the cabin bringing power & communication Data from both the rear & interior junction boxes to under the hood.
This harness can be seen by removing front pass wheel and the fender liner. My thought is that possibly during the change in suspension wires may have been pinched.
I enjoy working on problems like this & very willing to continue. You can PM a message to me to exchange better contact info than by posting on this thread.

[007Cruiser]

You must be getting a heck of a deal to buy a car with this many known problems. As my Dad used to say “There are many more fish in the sea.” In this case you’re not just borrowing trouble, you’re actually buying it.

[Fredrik73]

Hi i Would try to charge the batteri, disconnect the FEM and Then see If it drains agen. I have a broken FEM in my bird and it makes strange problems.
its a boring job but it costs noting to try
/Fredrik

[Fredrik73]

I also bought my bird with alot known problems
but i chosed between a working chrysler crossfire and a broken retro Bird ..... i love my broken Bird

[vicsrc]

Thank you all for the replies.
I would like to go on record saying that at this point in time ALL I HAVE IN THIS CAR IS THE PRICE OF THE NEW BATTERY!!!!
And that makes ALL the headaches well worth it
And I got it on my birthday!

[vicsrc]

To 007 Cruiser
Can I say never look a gift bird in the mouth???

[007Cruiser]

To 007 Cruiser
Can I say never look a gift bird in the mouth???

Yes you may. That’s a deal that can’t be beat.

[Alamobird]

Thank you all for the replies.
I would like to go on record saying that at this point in time ALL I HAVE IN THIS CAR IS THE PRICE OF THE NEW BATTERY!!!!
And that makes ALL the headaches well worth it
And I got it on my birthday!

Spend a couple of hundred bucks and take it to a Ford or Lincoln dealer and pay to have them do a thorough inspection of the entire car including a diagnosis of the known problems.

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