C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1979 corvette short

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2015 | 10:10 PM
  #1  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default 1979 corvette short

When you plug in the fuse to the radio, the battery slowly drains. It is NOT the radio draining the battery there is a short somewhere else but I can't find it. What should I do?! Continue to search ?? Or try to move the radio onto a different fuse by ripping out the wires and hooking them to a different fuse?? I don't know what else to do
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2015 | 11:14 PM
  #2  
Cynical's Avatar
Cynical
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 7
From: Monroe Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by FlippinCorvette
When you plug in the fuse to the radio, the battery slowly drains. It is NOT the radio draining the battery there is a short somewhere else but I can't find it. What should I do?! Continue to search ?? Or try to move the radio onto a different fuse by ripping out the wires and hooking them to a different fuse?? I don't know what else to do
I have my radio (Retrosound Model Two) wired to the battery. Everything else is tied into the wiring harness (power antenna, accessory, speakers). Maybe try running the hot wire from your radio directly to the battery? Works for me.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:12 AM
  #3  
65GGvert's Avatar
65GGvert
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,188
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Default

If you're sure it's not the radio, you need to get a wiring diagram and see what else is on that circuit. Maybe the clock or glove box light, I don't know what's on the same fuse.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:39 PM
  #4  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteJoshua
I have my radio (Retrosound Model Two) wired to the battery. Everything else is tied into the wiring harness (power antenna, accessory, speakers). Maybe try running the hot wire from your radio directly to the battery? Works for me.
That's what my radio is thank you!
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:40 PM
  #5  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteJoshua
I have my radio (Retrosound Model Two) wired to the battery. Everything else is tied into the wiring harness (power antenna, accessory, speakers). Maybe try running the hot wire from your radio directly to the battery? Works for me.
If you run it directly to the battery tho won't it stay on all the time?
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:42 PM
  #6  
Cynical's Avatar
Cynical
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 7
From: Monroe Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by FlippinCorvette
If you run it directly to the battery tho won't it stay on all the time?
No, there is one wire that needs to be hot all the time from my radio. Wired that directly to the batter (this keeps the memory, etc). The other wire is tied into the accessory wires. When accessory turns on, the radio does too. Hope that makes sense.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:54 PM
  #7  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteJoshua
No, there is one wire that needs to be hot all the time from my radio. Wired that directly to the batter (this keeps the memory, etc). The other wire is tied into the accessory wires. When accessory turns on, the radio does too. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks man I really appreciate it
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 07:56 PM
  #8  
Cynical's Avatar
Cynical
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 7
From: Monroe Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by FlippinCorvette
Thanks man I really appreciate it
As a heads up i remember that the original radio did not have to be hooked up to the batter for memory like how new radios do. So that's why I just re-wired directly to the battery when installing the Model Two. Goodluck!

Joshua
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 08:52 PM
  #9  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteJoshua
As a heads up i remember that the original radio did not have to be hooked up to the batter for memory like how new radios do. So that's why I just re-wired directly to the battery when installing the Model Two. Goodluck!

Joshua
Ill still need to figure out where to hook my speakers because ether can't be hooked to the harness either, and ill need to think of a way to hide the wire to the battery
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 08:54 PM
  #10  
65GGvert's Avatar
65GGvert
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,188
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Default

Wiring directly to the battery isn't going to change anything if you're already wired to a switched and non switched power as most aftermarket radios are. You can completely disconnect the always hot wire and you'll lose your station memory and clock time, but it won't drain the battery. You'll never know until you connect an ammeter in line with the battery and disconnect the power wire or accessories to find where the draw is. Moving from one constant 12v to another (the battery) won't change anything.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2015 | 08:56 PM
  #11  
Cynical's Avatar
Cynical
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 230
Likes: 7
From: Monroe Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by FlippinCorvette
Ill still need to figure out where to hook my speakers because ether can't be hooked to the harness either, and ill need to think of a way to hide the wire to the battery
My radio came with an output to each speaker. I know the original radio had connectors that plugged into the back of the radio module and ran to their respective spots in the car. Newer radios should have outputs as well. Just run it under the carpet, or splice from the radio to the existing speaker harnesses to the new speakers. As for running the hot wire from the radio I took a long piece of wire from an old VW harness and ran it through the console, under the parking brake, behind the drivers seat, and up into the battery compartment. You are able to slide the wire through the compartment lids if you're smart about it. I can always get some pictures if you want, just PM me ahead of time.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2015 | 02:53 PM
  #12  
Tooonz's Avatar
Tooonz
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Default

One thing to check, if your radio is draining your battery is the ground wires going to the starter. There is a black wire, small in diameter with a connection end that looks like it goes to the larger post on the starter. That wire needs to be grounded to the block or transmission housing. That was my problem when searching for my radio drain. I knew it was the radio, someone on this forum led me to that wire.
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2015 | 09:07 PM
  #13  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by CorvetteJoshua
My radio came with an output to each speaker. I know the original radio had connectors that plugged into the back of the radio module and ran to their respective spots in the car. Newer radios should have outputs as well. Just run it under the carpet, or splice from the radio to the existing speaker harnesses to the new speakers. As for running the hot wire from the radio I took a long piece of wire from an old VW harness and ran it through the console, under the parking brake, behind the drivers seat, and up into the battery compartment. You are able to slide the wire through the compartment lids if you're smart about it. I can always get some pictures if you want, just PM me ahead of time.
Thanks man again
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2015 | 09:08 PM
  #14  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Tooonz
One thing to check, if your radio is draining your battery is the ground wires going to the starter. There is a black wire, small in diameter with a connection end that looks like it goes to the larger post on the starter. That wire needs to be grounded to the block or transmission housing. That was my problem when searching for my radio drain. I knew it was the radio, someone on this forum led me to that wire.
Thank you too
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2015 | 11:05 PM
  #15  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default Solved

Installed kill switch days ago to the battery everything working as it should now
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2015 | 12:44 PM
  #16  
Tooonz's Avatar
Tooonz
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Default

where was your short?
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2015 | 06:36 PM
  #17  
FlippinCorvette's Avatar
FlippinCorvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Tooonz
where was your short?
No idea, the car generates power while its on, and I just turn the switch and shut all power down from the battery when it's not on. So far it's working
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1979 corvette short





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:52 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE