battery parasitic drain
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
battery parasitic drain
I have been trying to find why my battery in my 68 BB convert was going dead while sitting. Today I finally remembered that pesky windshield wiper deactivation switch located under the edge of the dash above the gas pedal. Sure enough, the vibration driving the car had moved it from the off position to on, so it sucked power from the car even when the key was off. I previously turned if firmly off...now I think I will duct tape it so it does not do this again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
That switch should not be able to activate itself via vibration. Replace the switch. BTW, that switch passes all the current to the wiper motor. Any replacement switch needs to be able to handle that level of current.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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When you open the switch to stop the motor the motor still has power and will until the motor parks. As for a substitue just replace the rotary switch with a toggle. It makes life a lot easier. Throw the rotary switch in a drawer for the next guy thats wants it all original along with that headache
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
RR- your suggestion to use a toggle switch is excellent. Will do soon. I may have bumped the switch with my knee getting into the car. I'm 6'1" and have to do some contortions to get my legs in position to get in the seat. It was interesting when I turned the switch to the correct position the wipers did one sweep and went to rest position.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I bumped mine many times and it doesnt take much to enable that rotary switch. Mine would disable the wipers in about one degree of roatation. I would like to add that light bulb as well or a toggle that illuminates
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
7T1- on the 1968 Vettes the windshield wiper motor was wired differently than the following years. The deactivation switch interfered with the ground and paused the motor with the wiper blades in mid stroke. If you turned off the ignition key the ww motor went into "park" mode, but could not park since the deactivation switch prevented the motor from running.. Some amperage still went to the wiper motor and created a parasitic drain on the battery until you turned the deactivation switch off.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I would love a, "turn off the switch dummy", light!!! LOL