Battery draining
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Battery draining
We have a 1982 corvette, and something is draining the battery while the car is off. We have replaced the battery (twice actually), and if we jump the car off and then drive it, the battery will get recharged. Does anyone know what would be causing this...
also, someone suggested to us a device that would allow us to cutoff the battery when the car is turned off, thus not allowing it to drain...is this a good idea?
also, someone suggested to us a device that would allow us to cutoff the battery when the car is turned off, thus not allowing it to drain...is this a good idea?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati OH
You can get the cutoff switch at any of the vette places plus probably autozone type places.
My batttery problem was two fold. the rear center compartment door wasn't closing all the way and the light was staying on inside the compartment. The alternator belt was not tight enough so the battery didn't charge well when we ran it.
Battery was dying after 2-3 days of sitting.
My batttery problem was two fold. the rear center compartment door wasn't closing all the way and the light was staying on inside the compartment. The alternator belt was not tight enough so the battery didn't charge well when we ran it.
Battery was dying after 2-3 days of sitting.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
I have an 82 also. I also had the same problem and symptoms. Problem is hard to diagnose due to the fact that the alternator would still charge the battery. I had the alternator rebuilt and this cured the problem.
Good Luck
Steve
Good Luck
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Longmont Co
I'm having the same problem with my 80. Guess what I'm doing for Thanksgiving. Within the last two weeks there was another thread on this subject with some very good troubleshooting tips. Do a search on battery going back a couple of weeks it should help a lot.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Buckner Missouri
Originally Posted by Teele777
....also, someone suggested to us a device that would allow us to cutoff the battery when the car is turned off, thus not allowing it to drain...is this a good idea?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Wal-Mart also has a great battery replacement program...3 years, no questions asked. They put the receipt in a small pouch on the side of the battery so it's alwasy handy. I recently traded one in (same unknown drain...) that came with the car I purchased in August 2005. The battery was from April 2004 and they made good on it. Good plan in case you have trouble tracking down the drain. I've been using the cut-off since the initial drain (from Corvette America).
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by Teele777
Does anyone know what would be causing this...
First thing to try in troubleshooting is the old pull your fuse technique. If you have an ammeter put it in series with your battery positive cable. Don't start the car or you will blow the ammeter's fuse.
Ideally you will read close to zero amps with the car off. See what you read then start pulling your fuses one by one until the current drops down. That will give you a good place to start; say for example your headlight fuse makes the number drop, start inspecting all the headlight wires, connectors, switches, relays, etc.
Good Luck
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Texas
I had this same problem on one of my 78 PC, I had to unhook the batt or it would drain in about a week, I replaced batt, alt,with no luck.
I was under the dash one day and looked at the fuse box, there was a small box that looked like a buzzer for the seat belts/ key pluged in to the fuse box, I felt it and it was warm.
I pulled it out, I have not had a dead batt for over 2 years now and the car sometimes sits for several mounths at a time.
The buzzer did not work before that and is now stored in the glove box.
It was a pain to always unhook the batt and reset the clock and radio all the time.
I was under the dash one day and looked at the fuse box, there was a small box that looked like a buzzer for the seat belts/ key pluged in to the fuse box, I felt it and it was warm.
I pulled it out, I have not had a dead batt for over 2 years now and the car sometimes sits for several mounths at a time.
The buzzer did not work before that and is now stored in the glove box.
It was a pain to always unhook the batt and reset the clock and radio all the time.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by Boofers
Somewhere in your electrical system the battery power is shorted to ground. May be something lika a power wire that has the insulation sliced open or pinched and the conductor inside is touching ground.
First thing to try in troubleshooting is the old pull your fuse technique. If you have an ammeter put it in series with your battery positive cable. Don't start the car or you will blow the ammeter's fuse.
Ideally you will read close to zero amps with the car off. See what you read then start pulling your fuses one by one until the current drops down. That will give you a good place to start; say for example your headlight fuse makes the number drop, start inspecting all the headlight wires, connectors, switches, relays, etc.
Good Luck
First thing to try in troubleshooting is the old pull your fuse technique. If you have an ammeter put it in series with your battery positive cable. Don't start the car or you will blow the ammeter's fuse.
Ideally you will read close to zero amps with the car off. See what you read then start pulling your fuses one by one until the current drops down. That will give you a good place to start; say for example your headlight fuse makes the number drop, start inspecting all the headlight wires, connectors, switches, relays, etc.
Good Luck
Took the words right outta my mouth
It shouldn't be hard to find the general circuit...the actual wire? Good Luck
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I have a 1982 Vette that was also draining my battery in less than 2 hrs. I finally took mine to an electrical tech and he found the problem in 15 minutes for me. The problem I had was the 6 way power seat switch on the drivers seat was stuck on and was pulling 18 volts and would pull the battery down fast. I replaced the switch and problem was solved. Put a meter on your battery and see what load is being pulled. Take it too an electric shop. It cost me $60.00 and fifteen minutes, it is well worth it believe me.
Ron
Ron
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Statesboro GA
One more idea
Get a battery tender or trickle charger I have one connected to the battery and just plug it in when in the garage. A tender cycles the battery just like it is being charged by the alternator - keeps the battery fresh. This also prevents having to reset clock and radio because you have disconnected the battery.
