69L71

OK. My turn to post.

I saw the previous 2 message strings on this topic and I followed redvetteman's very well thought out approiach of tracking where the current drain is coming from. I broke out my 12V test light, disconnected the positive terminal of the battery, and put the test light between the positive cable and the positive terminal. I got a bright light. Ah ha!

Then I disconnected the alternator. Then I one by one removed the fuses (leaving them out as I went). The test light never went out. Now I have a car with a disconnected alternator and no fuses, but still have a drain.

Just a note here - all the wiring harnesses in this car have been replaced during the restoration so there shouldn't be any whacky bubba-ized shorts. I seem to remember a battery draw problem before I started though (I never drove the car when I bought it - it was pretty much a basket case). I recognize that there could well be some missing grounds - particularly under the dash, but I don't know. The switches (headlight switch ect) were, for the most part retained.

Any advice?

Jim-K

Try disconnecting the fusable links at the starter?

Ck the hood light

Theres wiring diagrams at http://www.corvettefaq.com for a 78, that might be helpful

Jim-K

Cooter Tech

Check the battery cable. I think it goes right to the starter, disconnect it there. If light is still on it is probably the cable insulation worn out enough to go to ground, without causing a dead short. Also If that is not the problem install your two fusible links one at a time to the starter post and check for short. Let us know what you find. Roger

69L71

OK.

I unplugged all the wired to the wiper motor - light stays on

I removed the main battery cable. - light went out so there's no short in the main feed, and then reconnected it.

I removed the 2 secondary starter wires (yellow and purple so I bypass the fusable links compleely) - light stays on

I removed the other red wire on the main starter lug (the one that feeds power to the whole car) - light goes off.

So....

I don't have a problem anywhere in the fused circuits, the wiper circuit, or the starter circuit. It's got to be downstream of the starter. This isn't a shock because when I connect the battery I get a click from the horn/buzzer relay. I replaced that relay with another one I had laying around but it hasn't changed a thing.

Help!

69L71

OK!!!!!!

Traced the problem to the horn contact circuit! Now I at least have someplace to look for a fix. The column isn't all the way back together so it could be that the horn contacts aren't hooked up. I'm not sure yet how I'll approach that. But for now I can pull the plug on the horn relay and be good to go!

Now I have to figure out why my parking lights go on when I hit the brakes....