Battery killer
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Battery killer
I have something drawing my battery while the car (1979) is parked. I have read the other threads and will follow up with checking every fuse. However, when I am disconnecting the negative post of my battery, I hear a clicking on the passenger side. It's obvious that a short (could be one of a few) is coming from that area. Has anyone experienced a similar problem and found a solution? Any advice is appreciated.
Finally, I need to replace a lot of bulbs and don't see the bulb size in the parts catalogues. I need bulbs for under the hood, under the shift console and on the t-bar. Does anyone have those sizes handy?
Thanks again,
John
Finally, I need to replace a lot of bulbs and don't see the bulb size in the parts catalogues. I need bulbs for under the hood, under the shift console and on the t-bar. Does anyone have those sizes handy?
Thanks again,
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 837
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Here's some info on the bulbs that may be of help. Note this is for 78.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/tune...l/index7.shtml
Check "trade number" on the light bulb data sheet.
Hope this helps
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/tune...l/index7.shtml
Check "trade number" on the light bulb data sheet.
Hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
My 79 has basically the same battery drain problem. The battery will go down in about a week if I don't use the car. I gave up on trying to find the problem and ordered a simple blade type disconnect switch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
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From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by Baytraveler
I have something drawing my battery while the car (1979) is parked. I have read the other threads and will follow up with checking every fuse. However, when I am disconnecting the negative post of my battery, I hear a clicking on the passenger side. It's obvious that a short (could be one of a few) is coming from that area. Has anyone experienced a similar problem and found a solution? Any advice is appreciated.
Finally, I need to replace a lot of bulbs and don't see the bulb size in the parts catalogues. I need bulbs for under the hood, under the shift console and on the t-bar. Does anyone have those sizes handy?
Thanks again,
John
Finally, I need to replace a lot of bulbs and don't see the bulb size in the parts catalogues. I need bulbs for under the hood, under the shift console and on the t-bar. Does anyone have those sizes handy?
Thanks again,
John
I have one of those screw type switches on our '67 Jaguar, and we discovered a problem with it - If it's open too far, the brass pieces can still make contact and cause a short, which drains the battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
My 79 does similar with a little variation. Sometimes I can leave it for well over a month with no problem. Other times the battery will drain in a week. So my problem seems intermittent. I have tried using an ammeter to check the various circuits to no avail. I have just accepted is as a "feature" of the car. When the battery drains I just put the charger on it and drive it the next day. My suspicion if the horn relay, the interior light delay circuit or the abandoned facrory alarm components but I don't have the patience to fix it.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Sprzout - I disconnect from the battery when I hear the clicking.
I think it may be my windshield wipers. I haven't looked, but is there a breaker or connection on the passenger side related to the wipers?
Thanks,
John
I think it may be my windshield wipers. I haven't looked, but is there a breaker or connection on the passenger side related to the wipers?
Thanks,
John
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 530
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From: Victoria Texas
There is a relay on a control board for the delay wipers mounted on the center trans hump, it is located under the radio toward the right of the hump. I can hear this relay clicking when I hook up the batt on my 78PC also or when I turn on the wipers.
I posted about the seat belt warning buzzer, that was the cause of my batt drain, It is a small box that plugs into the fuse box, mine had a short in it, I looked all over for the short and finally traced it to this. I pulled it out and the car can sit with no drained battery now.
I posted about the seat belt warning buzzer, that was the cause of my batt drain, It is a small box that plugs into the fuse box, mine had a short in it, I looked all over for the short and finally traced it to this. I pulled it out and the car can sit with no drained battery now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 764
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From: THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS! NORTHERN ONTARIO
There is a lamp in the glove box that can cause problems sometimes the lamp stays on due to a messed up switch...there is also a small board that controls the courtesy lamps it is located behind the glovebox to the right it may be drawing as well it worth about $50 & available!.... 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
I dont have your year but with my 76 when I disconnect the battery cable I hear nothing from any part of the car. Nothing at all, no relays clicking, nothing. And my Vette can sit for months without any drain.
Comp has a good point. Get someone to stick their head under the dash on the passenger side with a flashlight while you connect & disconnect the bat cable. They should find the relay that is clicking and then you can find out if it should be doing this in the first place.
Also, do this same thing at night and look for any lights that might be on and should be off.
good luck as this is a difficult problem to troubleshoot.
Comp has a good point. Get someone to stick their head under the dash on the passenger side with a flashlight while you connect & disconnect the bat cable. They should find the relay that is clicking and then you can find out if it should be doing this in the first place.
Also, do this same thing at night and look for any lights that might be on and should be off.
good luck as this is a difficult problem to troubleshoot.