Battery Drain
Thread Starter
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Battery Drain
Am having an issue with the battery on my 80 draining when not driven for a week. Just checked the DC Amps when not running and found the following:
2.28 amps when Courtesy Lights are on (Timer running to turn off)
0.18 when Courtest Lights turn off
Do these sound like normal amp draws?
Thanks In advance...
Ed
2.28 amps when Courtesy Lights are on (Timer running to turn off)
0.18 when Courtest Lights turn off
Do these sound like normal amp draws?
Thanks In advance...
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by wb6mfw
ED
Anything more than 40 milliamps I would consider excessive. You have 180 ma and its time to start pulling fuses until you track down the drain.
Anything more than 40 milliamps I would consider excessive. You have 180 ma and its time to start pulling fuses until you track down the drain.
That will get you into the right area...then finding the actual culprit?...
Good Luck
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Ed, I had/have the same problem w/my 79 & 66. Drain the new battery dead after a week. The 66 can do the job in two days. Tried pulling fuses, rewired the front of the car no luck. Installed the green battery kill switchs from Napa or you local auto supply. No more dead batterys. Clock is never right but doesn't work on the 79 & who looks at a clock anyway.
G/L Jim
G/L Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I had a short inside my starter (not the solenoid). New starter, drain gone. A kill switch is a great band-aid while you're searching for the problem, but isn't much as a long-term solution, as you still have a problem somewhere.
Thread Starter
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Thanks Guys... I have the green battery disconnect attached but then added (dumb move) a fused bypass to keep the clock going. Now...dead batteries... Will start pulling fuses this morning and report back.
Thanks again everyone...
Thanks again everyone...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Snellville Georgia
same problem on my 72...
I am using the kill switch on my 72 until I solve the problem. One thing that I have found...every time I connect the kill switch I get a clicking sound from my horn relay...clicks when I connect and clicks when I disconnect. When I try to hook up the wire to the horn...it goes off. I am prettry sure that I have a poor ground somewhere, but cn't seem to find it.
rt
rt
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Not to hijack the thread, but I recently had a battery drain caused by courtesy lights coming on. Do you guys have "spacers" that are glued to your doors to properly kill the door switches for the courtesy lights? I knocked it off while I was stripping glue while replacing the weatherstripping.
On the upside, my '77 went a full month and I was still able to fire it up.
Brian.
On the upside, my '77 went a full month and I was still able to fire it up.
Brian.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Hi,I have the same problem with my 1980 battery drain in about 2 wks. My electric door locks do not work along with courtesy light door switches but lights go on with headlight dimmer **** 
. Other have mentioned a bad ground. How & where could you check for one. where does neg cable go? My car has not been on a lift as yet. I have a kill switch but am reluctant to just change the starter. Any Ideas 
. Other have mentioned a bad ground. How & where could you check for one. where does neg cable go? My car has not been on a lift as yet. I have a kill switch but am reluctant to just change the starter. Any Ideas
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by wb6mfw
ED
Anything more than 40 milliamps I would consider excessive. You have 180 ma and its time to start pulling fuses until you track down the drain.
Anything more than 40 milliamps I would consider excessive. You have 180 ma and its time to start pulling fuses until you track down the drain.
wanna bet its the alarm fuse???
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by rthawk1
I am using the kill switch on my 72 until I solve the problem. One thing that I have found...every time I connect the kill switch I get a clicking sound from my horn relay...clicks when I connect and clicks when I disconnect. When I try to hook up the wire to the horn...it goes off. I am prettry sure that I have a poor ground somewhere, but cn't seem to find it.
rt
rt
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Snellville Georgia
Originally Posted by Jims79
My 66 had the same clicking went I disc/reconn the battery. I switched the (+ and - ) on the relay (Green & Black wires) no more clicking & horn works fine. Battery stills dies, so I pushed the problem off until spring time. (no heat in the garage)
Thanks for input.
rt
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I am having the same problem with my 79. I have owned it for 4 years now and this year is the first time experiencing the problem. The battery is about 2 years old. I did notice recently though that after closing the doors the inside dome and foot board lights stay on for about 30 seconds then dim out -- I never really noticed this b-4 so maybe I will start there. I know this is a standard operation but it was not there when the battery drain was not. Why it is working now I don't know. It is possible that this circuit is maintaining a drain. I will let you know what I find out.
