Electrical problem with my '78 - help please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Electrical problem with my '78 - help please
I know it shouldn't be that difficult, but when I first had battery problems I thought I had just run into a couple of bad batteries. For one thing, the battery was new (both of them now), but in a very short time - about a week - the batteries went dead. I tried to recharge them, but they wouldn't take a charge. When I took the first battery back to the battery store, they checked it and found two dead cells. They gave me a new battery, and after about a week, it's dead also, and now the new battery won't take a charge.
It doesn't seem likely that the second battery would have the same problem on it's own, so it must be something wrong with the car's system taking the batteries down. I don't understand what it is doing that harms the battery though.
Has anyone experienced this problem, or have any suggestions where to start?
Thanks in Advance!
It doesn't seem likely that the second battery would have the same problem on it's own, so it must be something wrong with the car's system taking the batteries down. I don't understand what it is doing that harms the battery though.
Has anyone experienced this problem, or have any suggestions where to start?
Thanks in Advance!
Last edited by Skyhawk; Jun 26, 2006 at 11:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
wow, ok, lets get some info. What brand of batteries?
Did you check the battery voltage with a voltmeter with the engine running? Do so if not.
Did they give any indication of a problem until it died?
Have you made any other electrical system mods?
Did you check the battery voltage with a voltmeter with the engine running? Do so if not.
Did they give any indication of a problem until it died?
Have you made any other electrical system mods?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I would like to add I(a customer) had 5 bad batteries in a row from Shell Oil Comp.They didnt maintain them and stored them on a concrete floor and would only replace and not refund money.Finally customer sprung for a diff. brand.Sixfooter can walk you through and isolate your problem.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Florence NJ
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
wow, ok, lets get some info. What brand of batteries?
Did you check the battery voltage with a voltmeter with the engine running? Do so if not.
Did they give any indication of a problem until it died?
Have you made any other electrical system mods?
Did you check the battery voltage with a voltmeter with the engine running? Do so if not.
Did they give any indication of a problem until it died?
Have you made any other electrical system mods?
with sixfooter's questions. Also, have you checked all the conections at the alt and starter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Thanks for the replies! Here's some additional info. The batteries were generic, from "Battery Wholesale Co.". When I took the first one back, they said two cells were dead. The second one acts the same way. It's only a couple of weeks old, and started the car fine when I first connected it. It's not the cheap battery, but one with good cranking amps and 3 yr. warranty. When I drove the car, it showed it was charging on the ammeter in the dash, and that looked normal.
But then I didn't drive the car for a week, and it's dead and won't take a charge now.
I'll check connections as suggested. It's like something in the car is draining, then shorting out, the batteries. Is that possible?
Would there be any harm in jump starting the car and seeing if the alternator charges it up?
Thanks
But then I didn't drive the car for a week, and it's dead and won't take a charge now.
I'll check connections as suggested. It's like something in the car is draining, then shorting out, the batteries. Is that possible?
Would there be any harm in jump starting the car and seeing if the alternator charges it up?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
One more little thing and I'll shut up.Because of poor batterys I do a bench check before installing--I fully charge them- let them set and check them several times over a couple of days with a volt meter-if they go down after sitting on the bench you know they will go down sitting in your car .Its takes a little time but it is worth it in the long run.(you might want to use a bulb across for a few seconds to remove the top charge before your checks)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Jumping the car with an open cell (they either open or short) is not a good idea, if its open thats the same as no battery and if it starts, the alt voltage will get very high with engine rpm (burns stuff out) If the cell is shorted and you put juice to it you will in effect be overcharging and again a fire hazard.
Pull the battery and take it to them, get yourself VERY indignant about it and make them replace with a different brand or something.
Pull the battery and take it to them, get yourself VERY indignant about it and make them replace with a different brand or something.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Ok guys, I'll take it back again. It sure seems odd that I'd get two bad ones in a row -- although you are saying it does happen. Here's a picture of my car -- it looks like it needs to be driven, doesn't it? I need to take her for a cruise!
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
I have had bad luck with batteries in the past in my camaro. I had two defectos and finally demanded my money back. Get a Diehard I have never had a problem with one. I have seen a few threads on here talking about battery drain when the car is off. You might want to search those threads.
