Battery power issues
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Battery power issues
I know there may already be a thread about this somewhere, but couldn’t find one, hope someone may have some insight into what I going on, to start about a month ago I pulled the battery and jack out and laid some fiberglass in the bottom of the compartments and painted them, installed all new hardware and hold downs, new doors and latches on storage compartments, have driven the car 3 times with the last being on 6/12, got home and backed into garage, went back out later to hook up battery tender, noticed that the curtesy lights were not on,turned the key no dash lights came on as if I had no power, left for vacation on 6/13, got back on the weekend and went out yesterday 6/23 to start testing and everything is working now, I’m a little confused, any suggestions or has anyone else seen this issue? Forgot to mention I’m working on a 74 Stingray
Last edited by Helibudi; Jun 24, 2025 at 06:53 PM. Reason: Forgot to mention car
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,320
Likes: 8,124
From: Napa Valley California
Check the positive and negative cable connections and make sure they are clean and tight.
The cable can be badly corroded under the insulation.
They can look good on the outside but corroded through on the inside.
You can check them with a meter but if they are the originals, they probably need to be replaced.
The cable can be badly corroded under the insulation.
They can look good on the outside but corroded through on the inside.
You can check them with a meter but if they are the originals, they probably need to be replaced.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Thanks guys for the replies, due to A/C issues this past week I haven’t had time to look at the car till today ( 7/4/25) I did find the positive battery cable a little loose at battery, haven’t found any thing else yet,will see what happens next time I take it out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The larger issue may be the negative (ground) cable connection under the battery box to the frame. That may need to be removed, cleaned up, and re-done in order to restore solid electrical ground. Also, those old cables may be deteriorating INSIDE the insulation at the terminal junctions.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Thanks 7T1, that connection was cleaned and reconnected when I cleaned,fiberglassed, and painted the storage compartments, have also double checked it for tightness, I think I will order new cables and replace them as oldcarbum recommended as I don’t know the age of the ones in the car.
