need help finding an electric draw
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg MB
need help finding an electric draw
1970 corvette 350 4 spd. After a dead battery after sitting a couple days, I have set out to find the phantom electric draw. By hooking a test light between the disconnected negative battery cable and the neg post on the battery, I have found the draw to be eliminated when I remove the 20 amp fuse on the top left corner of the fuse panel under the dash. I believe it is marked "clk ltr ctsy" which I believe means clock, lighter and courtesty. With that fuse removed, I have no kick panel lights, not sure about lighter or clock. I know the clock quit working years ago.
I disconnected the lighter today and when I put the fuse back in, the draw is still there. So I guess it is not the lighter. I doubt it is the clock since the draw is pretty big, lights the test light up pretty good and will kill a fully charged battery within 48 hours.
Now, the only thing that didn't work on the car, before this happened, other than the clock failure years ago, is the door jamb switch drivers side. Open that door and the light usually won't go on, but if I fiddle with the button the kick panel lights come on fine.
Also, noticed the key buzzer is not working any more.
Where is the buzzer located? Maybe that is leaking to ground?
Any ideas on how to narrow down and find the phantom draw?
I disconnected the lighter today and when I put the fuse back in, the draw is still there. So I guess it is not the lighter. I doubt it is the clock since the draw is pretty big, lights the test light up pretty good and will kill a fully charged battery within 48 hours.
Now, the only thing that didn't work on the car, before this happened, other than the clock failure years ago, is the door jamb switch drivers side. Open that door and the light usually won't go on, but if I fiddle with the button the kick panel lights come on fine.
Also, noticed the key buzzer is not working any more.
Where is the buzzer located? Maybe that is leaking to ground?
Any ideas on how to narrow down and find the phantom draw?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
1970 corvette 350 4 spd. After a dead battery after sitting a couple days, I have set out to find the phantom electric draw. By hooking a test light between the disconnected negative battery cable and the neg post on the battery, I have found the draw to be eliminated when I remove the 20 amp fuse on the top left corner of the fuse panel under the dash. I believe it is marked "clk ltr ctsy" which I believe means clock, lighter and courtesty. With that fuse removed, I have no kick panel lights, not sure about lighter or clock. I know the clock quit working years ago.
I disconnected the lighter today and when I put the fuse back in, the draw is still there. So I guess it is not the lighter. I doubt it is the clock since the draw is pretty big, lights the test light up pretty good and will kill a fully charged battery within 48 hours.
Now, the only thing that didn't work on the car, before this happened, other than the clock failure years ago, is the door jamb switch drivers side. Open that door and the light usually won't go on, but if I fiddle with the button the kick panel lights come on fine.
Also, noticed the key buzzer is not working any more.
Where is the buzzer located? Maybe that is leaking to ground?
Any ideas on how to narrow down and find the phantom draw?
I disconnected the lighter today and when I put the fuse back in, the draw is still there. So I guess it is not the lighter. I doubt it is the clock since the draw is pretty big, lights the test light up pretty good and will kill a fully charged battery within 48 hours.
Now, the only thing that didn't work on the car, before this happened, other than the clock failure years ago, is the door jamb switch drivers side. Open that door and the light usually won't go on, but if I fiddle with the button the kick panel lights come on fine.
Also, noticed the key buzzer is not working any more.
Where is the buzzer located? Maybe that is leaking to ground?
Any ideas on how to narrow down and find the phantom draw?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...one-crazy.html
Jim
Last edited by jdp6000; May 9, 2014 at 05:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg MB
I hope it is not the buzzer.
Before I go there, can someone tell me how the door jam switch on the drivers side is supposed to work? I pulled it out, there are 2 white wires and one black wire attached. How do they signal the courtesy lamps to come on, or the alarm system which I have?
I want to eliminate the door jam switch first before I go to the buzzer.
I tried the cigar lighter and it works fine so it can't be the draw.
Before I go there, can someone tell me how the door jam switch on the drivers side is supposed to work? I pulled it out, there are 2 white wires and one black wire attached. How do they signal the courtesy lamps to come on, or the alarm system which I have?
I want to eliminate the door jam switch first before I go to the buzzer.
I tried the cigar lighter and it works fine so it can't be the draw.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 296
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton Alberta
On your '70, the key buzzer is part of the horn relay, located on the inside of the left (driver's) fender, just ahead of the vacuum reservoir. At least that's where it is on my 1970 small block with A/C car. It's relatively easy to get at.
Last edited by Majoho; May 10, 2014 at 01:51 PM. Reason: corrected typo
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg MB
I found my electric draw that was killing the battery. The rear compartment (center) has a light in it. My compartment door was not fully closed so the light was on. Pushed door closed and out went the light and my phantom power draw.
The fuse that I removed to eliminate the draw was the one marked "clock, cigar, courtesy". By studying the wiring diagram for hours I finally discovered the courtesy circuit runs through the kick panel lights and on to the rear compartment door to make that light work. Simple, but probably took me 6 hours and lots of frustration to find it.
The fuse that I removed to eliminate the draw was the one marked "clock, cigar, courtesy". By studying the wiring diagram for hours I finally discovered the courtesy circuit runs through the kick panel lights and on to the rear compartment door to make that light work. Simple, but probably took me 6 hours and lots of frustration to find it.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 296
Likes: 16
From: Edmonton Alberta
I found my electric draw that was killing the battery. The rear compartment (center) has a light in it. My compartment door was not fully closed so the light was on. Pushed door closed and out went the light and my phantom power draw.
The fuse that I removed to eliminate the draw was the one marked "clock, cigar, courtesy". By studying the wiring diagram for hours I finally discovered the courtesy circuit runs through the kick panel lights and on to the rear compartment door to make that light work. Simple, but probably took me 6 hours and lots of frustration to find it.
The fuse that I removed to eliminate the draw was the one marked "clock, cigar, courtesy". By studying the wiring diagram for hours I finally discovered the courtesy circuit runs through the kick panel lights and on to the rear compartment door to make that light work. Simple, but probably took me 6 hours and lots of frustration to find it.
