# Losing Power **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197 "2008-12-10T00:01:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RKORALAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@RKORALAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RKORALAN)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/1 "2008-12-10T00:01:48Z")
I have a 2006 Ford F250 pickup. If the truck is not run for a period of time, the battery runs down, the radio automatically tunes to the lowest station on the AM band, and the clock resets itself to 12:00. In warm weather this situation may take up to two weeks to develop, but in cold weather, it can occur in less than a week (two to three days). The vehicle is under warranty, and I have a service appointment with the dealer. I’m just wondering what may be the cause. I’d like to talk intelligently with the service personnel, if such a thing is possible. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/2 "2008-12-10T01:50:59Z")
It could be a battery. If so I don’t believe it is covered under the warranty. You can have it checked for free at many auto part stores and they can get you a new battery at a price likely to be much lower than the dealer. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/3 "2008-12-10T02:41:14Z")
Your post explained the concern just fine,mention a check for parasitic draw. ---
**Author:** ![Baxter\_s\_Dad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/baxter_s_dad/32/27_2.png) [@Baxter\_s\_Dad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Baxter_s_Dad)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/4 "2008-12-10T05:52:11Z")
Yep, you have a low volt leak drawing off small amounts of power. Ford pickups have an optional under hood light that has a really cheap on/off button contact switch. The light can stick in the on position and slowly suck down the battery. A simple diagnose is to simply unplug the power cord to the light and see if the draw goes away. ---
**Author:** ![RKORALAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@RKORALAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RKORALAN)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/5 "2008-12-10T10:56:03Z")
Thanks. The first thing I did was to have the battery tested by a knowledgeable technician. It checked out OK on his meter (which imparts a load). Assuming that it was not the cause, I have not checked the battery again. But it would be easy to do, as the technician is also my fishing buddy! ---
**Author:** ![RKORALAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@RKORALAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RKORALAN)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/6 "2008-12-10T10:56:56Z")
Thanks. That’s a good term to remember! ---
**Author:** ![RKORALAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@RKORALAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RKORALAN)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 11:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power/23197/7 "2008-12-10T11:00:15Z")
Thanks. That’s a good idea. Should have thought of it myself. I have a Model A that lost power through a sticking light switch. That ran down the battery PDQ,