my 78 is dead
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,456
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my 78 is dead
history...
alternator replced 4 months ago
battery replaced 2 months ago...
barely driven or started until this week.....
this is day 4 to use as DD (DD in shop)
been running and starting fine... go out at lunch and nothing....
won't even jumpstart.... has some power... brake lights work...radio won't.... battery is probably shot already.... must have a short...
any ideas where? (also, i did notice ALT gauge was kina bouncy this morning)
TIA
alternator replced 4 months ago
battery replaced 2 months ago...
barely driven or started until this week.....
this is day 4 to use as DD (DD in shop)
been running and starting fine... go out at lunch and nothing....
won't even jumpstart.... has some power... brake lights work...radio won't.... battery is probably shot already.... must have a short...
any ideas where? (also, i did notice ALT gauge was kina bouncy this morning)
TIA
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 241
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From: Aubrey TX
To me it sounds like you need to clean you're battery terminals. Strange things happen when the terminals are dirty. Some things work and others don't according to current draw.
Clean them and check you're battery water level and charge if possible.
Clean them and check you're battery water level and charge if possible.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,456
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Originally Posted by 73C3
To me it sounds like you need to clean you're battery terminals. Strange things happen when the terminals are dirty. Some things work and others don't according to current draw.
Clean them and check you're battery water level and charge if possible.
Clean them and check you're battery water level and charge if possible.
they were clean when i installed the new battery.... think I'll pull it and take it to the auto parts store where i got it.....
just upgraded my AAA .... just in case i have to tow it to the shop....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...a very often overlooked piece is your NEGATIVE battery cable where it attaches to the frame BELOW the battery box. Due to the location and being where water, road debris, salt, etc. can get to it, it will swell up and can be very badly corroded under the black plastic/rubber sheathing. Had to replace them on both my Silver '75 and Blue '68 convertible and had some symptoms as you described. Also make sure that where the spade part of the cable bolts against your frame with that star washer is a nice, clean area. If this area is rusty and not making a good ground, you can have minimal power to your accessories, but no strength in voltage for cranking power.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I agree with the above suggestions. A simple trick to check is to turn on your headlights. obviously they'll be down, but if the lights are dim or off, you know that there is a power problem somewhere rather than a switch issue. It also works as a great indicator on when you found the problem. The lights will come on nice and bright.
Although this works better in a car with a front battery, the same priciple applies.
Although this works better in a car with a front battery, the same priciple applies.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,456
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Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
...a very often overlooked piece is your NEGATIVE battery cable where it attaches to the frame BELOW the battery box. Due to the location and being where water, road debris, salt, etc. can get to it, it will swell up and can be very badly corroded under the black plastic/rubber sheathing. Had to replace them on both my Silver '75 and Blue '68 convertible and had some symptoms as you described. Also make sure that where the spade part of the cable bolts against your frame with that star washer is a nice, clean area. If this area is rusty and not making a good ground, you can have minimal power to your accessories, but no strength in voltage for cranking power.
I'll check on that...
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
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went out wiggled cables (they were tight).... but.... I also moved the battery around.....
tried it and it started w/o a jump....
turned it off.... tried to restart.... nope...
pulled ground up where it goes below and lights went on.... let go... they went off.....
tried to restart with it pulled up, but battery i think is just too dead.....
but, i think i got a good idea what it is..... couldn't fix today... it was 102 and NO shade and on concrete....
buddy is recharging battery overnight, but i think i will get it towed to my vette place.....
been driving all week w/o AC and it's stuck in heat mode.... I swear I lost 5 pounds of water in 3 days...
thanks again....
tried it and it started w/o a jump....
turned it off.... tried to restart.... nope...
pulled ground up where it goes below and lights went on.... let go... they went off.....
tried to restart with it pulled up, but battery i think is just too dead.....
but, i think i got a good idea what it is..... couldn't fix today... it was 102 and NO shade and on concrete....
buddy is recharging battery overnight, but i think i will get it towed to my vette place.....
been driving all week w/o AC and it's stuck in heat mode.... I swear I lost 5 pounds of water in 3 days...
thanks again....
stranger things have hapend.