1982 Battery Draw?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
1982 Battery Draw?
Help!!
I have a 1982 Vette that the battery keeps discharging on. It seems to have a short somewhere but I cannot find anything shorting to ground. I have a new battery installed and it will only start the car once or twice and then you have to jump it again to get it started. The alternator tested ok too.
Any Suggestions of what the cause may be or what I should check for?
Thanks, Ron
I have a 1982 Vette that the battery keeps discharging on. It seems to have a short somewhere but I cannot find anything shorting to ground. I have a new battery installed and it will only start the car once or twice and then you have to jump it again to get it started. The alternator tested ok too.
Any Suggestions of what the cause may be or what I should check for?
Thanks, Ron
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
put a meter on every fuse to track down the circuit...when the needle/digits register, that's the circuit you have to attack. You will have draw from the clock, and the interior lights due to the door being open.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Not much it can be. Do you have an aftermarket stereo?
Possibly a bad dimmer switch? If you have the interior light dimmer option you should have a box about the size of a cigarette pack plugged into your fuse panel..unplug it from the fuse panel but do not unplug the wires to the box. See if this helps.
Other possible is the light for the spare tire...check the circuit at the rear.
Bad short to gound??? Connect a test light from the negative on your battery to the frame...it should NOT light up.
My money is on the dimmer circuit...
Jim
Possibly a bad dimmer switch? If you have the interior light dimmer option you should have a box about the size of a cigarette pack plugged into your fuse panel..unplug it from the fuse panel but do not unplug the wires to the box. See if this helps.
Other possible is the light for the spare tire...check the circuit at the rear.
Bad short to gound??? Connect a test light from the negative on your battery to the frame...it should NOT light up.
My money is on the dimmer circuit...
Jim
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thanks,
I had a new stereo installed recently but all the wires seems to be connected and not touching anywhere., it was already having this problem before I had the stero installed.
I also just changed the healght switch assy but I was having problems before that.
The box type thing you talk about on the fuse block, the only thing I have is one uunder a flasher type unit at the bottom of the fuse block, is that what you mean? Ron
I had a new stereo installed recently but all the wires seems to be connected and not touching anywhere., it was already having this problem before I had the stero installed.
I also just changed the healght switch assy but I was having problems before that.
The box type thing you talk about on the fuse block, the only thing I have is one uunder a flasher type unit at the bottom of the fuse block, is that what you mean? Ron
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Visor vanity mirror light? Sounds crazy, but my fiancee had a similar problem with her '96 -- something was pulling down the battery over time. We eventually discovered the vanity mirror lamp was staying lit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
It doesn't look like a flasher. Maybe yours didn't come with the dimmer option. Its square (cigarette pack shaped) plugs in to the fuse block on the right side. bunch of wires would go to it.
I just remember something. awhile back some one had a similar problem and it turned out to be something to do with the glove box or some sort of switch to the right of the glove box.
Jim
I just remember something. awhile back some one had a similar problem and it turned out to be something to do with the glove box or some sort of switch to the right of the glove box.
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
This is a pain in the rear but you can try pulling fuses, one at a time, let the car sit for however long it takes to drain. When it doesn't drain then you've found the section of wiring/access. that need to be traced and checked out.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Battery Drain
I had an issue with my 80. I was told to disconnect the positive (black cable) and put a 12V light tester to make the connection. If the light goes on then you have a drain. If you have a drain, pull each fuse on at a time and each time check to see when the light goes out (much faster than waiting to see if the battery drains). This will identify which circuit- and then work from there to see what part. Also, make sure your doors are closed and everything is off when you perform the checks.
Just a note, if you do not fully recharge your battery each time, it will do exactly as you say- only give you one start and then dead. I took my battery to Autozone (local autoparts store) and they fully charged and checked the battey for free.
Just a note, if you do not fully recharge your battery each time, it will do exactly as you say- only give you one start and then dead. I took my battery to Autozone (local autoparts store) and they fully charged and checked the battey for free.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 142
From: North of Atlanta GA
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Darrel1
I had an issue with my 80. I was told to disconnect the positive (black cable) and put a 12V light tester to make the connection. If the light goes on then you have a drain. If you have a drain, pull each fuse on at a time and each time check to see when the light goes out (much faster than waiting to see if the battery drains). This will identify which circuit- and then work from there to see what part. Also, make sure your doors are closed and everything is off when you perform the checks.
Just a note, if you do not fully recharge your battery each time, it will do exactly as you say- only give you one start and then dead. I took my battery to Autozone (local autoparts store) and they fully charged and checked the battey for free.
Just a note, if you do not fully recharge your battery each time, it will do exactly as you say- only give you one start and then dead. I took my battery to Autozone (local autoparts store) and they fully charged and checked the battey for free.
Thanks Darrel1I love this forum.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
1982 Battery Draw
I just wanted to thank everyone for the help and also to let you know I found the source of the Battery Draw problem.
It was the 6 way Power Seat Switch on the Drivers Side. The switch was broken and stuck in the open posistion. When I put a meter on the battery, it was pulling 18volts, it's no wonder it was running my battery down. Now I need a new or good used switch for the power seat. Anyone know where I can buy one at??
I am new to these forums, but this is a great source of information and help from some great people.
Last edited by briggswrsm; Nov 11, 2005 at 10:23 PM.
