1971 Battery Drain
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Az
1971 Battery Drain
My 1971 was sitting and needed a battery charge. after charging ran great but noticed ammeter was always slight left of 0 when driving. When first started, wen to right showing Alternator was working. Let set for a couple days, went to start. Battery dead. Recharged, same thing after a couple days of sitting. Created a test light (as referenced in earlier forum posts) and hooked up between Battery neg and disconnected negative bat cable. Light on indicating a short somewhere. removed fuses one at a time - light stayed on. Went to starter, pulled wires and when separated Battery cable from Fuseblock power light went off. Unwrapped cabling and Fusible link wirre was intact but insulation was gone. Not sure of that was due to power or Headers. replaced fusible link. Put two wires together, Light still on. Although this is PROBABLY telling me the short is in the line to the fuse box, I decided to take other stuff out of the equation. Disconnected alternator (ground and power), Steering column connector, horn really, headlights and radio. At night With headlights on the short plus the headlights makes a REALdrain. so not safe to drive at night
Any other suggestions or ideas?
Any other suggestions or ideas?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,690
Likes: 2,572
when you run the test, the interior lights are off?
you have made sure the center compartment behind the seats is fully closed and turns off the light inside the compartment?
when you disconnect the two wire plug on the alternator you still have a drain?
It's not the clock?
you have made sure the center compartment behind the seats is fully closed and turns off the light inside the compartment?
when you disconnect the two wire plug on the alternator you still have a drain?
It's not the clock?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 1,308
From: Fleming Island, FL
A couple things here. Obviously you have a charging system problem. I would address this first. You can't blame the draw for the dead battery. Test lights aren't the best tool for checking draws. A VOM amp meter is the tool of choice for that task. Depending on the car a test light may always show a draw when infact it's a very small draw and can be considered normal. With the amp meter seeing the amps being drawn you can sometimes identify the draw by just knowing what certain components draw. And lastly load test the battery. A healthy charging system is a happy charging system.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Az
THx for reply.. Interior lights are off. center console had never been operational in 27 years I have had (switch missin) , Yes, still have drain when disconnecting gen and clock not connected.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Az
BAttery is good. Had it tested at autozone. I will check drain with Meter. Why do you say Obviously I have a charging system problem? When I start car, ammeter goes to right showing it is charging and after a few minutes centers with with the needle just a hair to tjhje left of center unelss I put a load on (electric fan or headlights) When I hook up the meter, what would you consider acceptable draw? PS thx for reply.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 1,308
From: Fleming Island, FL