78 corvette Battery Problems
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
78 corvette Battery Problems
I have a 1978 corvette 25th special edition. The car battery will not last more than 2-3 days. It gets drained by something. The battery is new and will only last if i use the car (alt. works fine)
I was wondering if anything knew how i would be able to find out what is draining the battery when the car is turned off.
I was wondering if anything knew how i would be able to find out what is draining the battery when the car is turned off.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 4
From: Celeste Texas
Go out at night and look inside the glove box, under the dash, under the hood and in the storage compartment to see if the lights are on. If no lights are on put your hand on the back of your alternator. If it's warm and you haven't been driving it needs changing too. Turn your radio up and check for volume when the car is off. Short could cause it too but they are much more difficult to chase.
Bill
Bill
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
This has been a common ailment and covered many times on this forum. Do a search from the top of this screen and you will find many threads and much good advice on how to trouble shoot this problem.
Terry
Terry
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
this would happen when i had the power antenna turned off. and had it charged last night and battery only lasted over night. Something must be drawing power. I heard something about disconnecting the battery and taking the fuse out one by one. How exactly would i do this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
this is a good writeup by ...Roger...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-problems.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-problems.html
Last edited by speedreed8; Nov 16, 2010 at 04:15 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,358
Likes: 217
From: Beecher Illinois
Another check might be the factory alarm.
I've run across a few Vettes with bad alarm horns. If the system is activated the relay and flasher could be operating but not the horn.
Unlock the driver door with the key making sure you don't go past 12 oclock with the key.
The alarm horn is tucked down on the firewall kinda under the brake booster.
I've run across a few Vettes with bad alarm horns. If the system is activated the relay and flasher could be operating but not the horn.
Unlock the driver door with the key making sure you don't go past 12 oclock with the key.
The alarm horn is tucked down on the firewall kinda under the brake booster.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
Tested the battery with a 12v test bulb (disconnected the negative cable and put it between)
i had a dim light when i had both doors closed.
I disconnected the stereo from the power and the light went away. My question is, would this cause my battery to drain? cause it made the light go away and when i connected it back the light came back on.
What would cause this? The constant power? or ignition power?
or the stereo itself?
also i found this on my fuse box, its not working as it was not giving power to the green cable. and i beleive it was making a low beeping noise ( when i disconnected it, the noise went away.)
i had a dim light when i had both doors closed.
I disconnected the stereo from the power and the light went away. My question is, would this cause my battery to drain? cause it made the light go away and when i connected it back the light came back on.
What would cause this? The constant power? or ignition power?
or the stereo itself?
also i found this on my fuse box, its not working as it was not giving power to the green cable. and i beleive it was making a low beeping noise ( when i disconnected it, the noise went away.)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
Fuse in Red Circle: What does this do? It does not work and fuse is fine
Cable/Box In Purple Circle: box i beleive was making a noise, not working
Cable in Black Circle: Is missing, i cannot find this cable. is it needed?
Wiper/radio in blue circle: Both not giving power, i have constant power for the radio connected somewhere else, might this have caused the drain of the battery?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Fuse in Red Circle: What does this do? It does not work and fuse is fine
Cable/Box In Purple Circle: box i beleive was making a noise, not working
Cable in Black Circle: Is missing, i cannot find this cable. is it needed?
Wiper/radio in blue circle: Both not giving power, i have constant power for the radio connected somewhere else, might this have caused the drain of the battery?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
I did some test, and found out my warning buzzer isnt working, took that off.
Now if i have the fuse "CLK LTR" first fuse under the fat one, i get 1 amp drainage.
now if i disconnect that fuse, i get .76 amp drainage and if i disconnect the alternator i get .004 amp drainage.
What does this fuse do? and how can i fix it?
Interesting part is, if i have the alternator disconnected and fused connect i still get 1 amp drainage.
any suggestions?
Now if i have the fuse "CLK LTR" first fuse under the fat one, i get 1 amp drainage.
now if i disconnect that fuse, i get .76 amp drainage and if i disconnect the alternator i get .004 amp drainage.
What does this fuse do? and how can i fix it?
Interesting part is, if i have the alternator disconnected and fused connect i still get 1 amp drainage.
any suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I have a similar issue, which I have narrowed it down to ONE fuse. The dome light/door locks. I figure it has to be the door locks and will need to take an afternoon and pull the panels off. I need to install new anti rattle pads anyway.. Im hoping for the best on this.. Other than that, my 79 is all smiles. Had a great drive today just for the heck of it!
The 98 is put away for the winter...:o
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
I did some test, and found out my warning buzzer isnt working, took that off.
Now if i have the fuse "CLK LTR" first fuse under the fat one, i get 1 amp drainage.
now if i disconnect that fuse, i get .76 amp drainage and if i disconnect the alternator i get .004 amp drainage.
What does this fuse do? and how can i fix it?
Interesting part is, if i have the alternator disconnected and fused connect i still get 1 amp drainage.
any suggestions?
Now if i have the fuse "CLK LTR" first fuse under the fat one, i get 1 amp drainage.
now if i disconnect that fuse, i get .76 amp drainage and if i disconnect the alternator i get .004 amp drainage.
What does this fuse do? and how can i fix it?
Interesting part is, if i have the alternator disconnected and fused connect i still get 1 amp drainage.
any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Santa Ana, California
Still no solution to this problem.
When i disconnect the CLK LTR CTSY, the Amp drainage goes down.
When i close the doors, lights do not go out. so i removed all the light bulbs i could find. Under the hood, Top middle, under driver and passenger and center arm rest. I tested the AMP and it was the same, so i diconnected the courtesy timer delay module and it still stays at the same amp drainage.
i have the power antenna disconnected (aftermarket)
only thing left is the cig. lighter but that isnt connected to the socket.
But i did realized that the stereos constant power is connected to the cig lighter by a butt connector, but i dont have a stereo connected.
When i disconnect the CLK LTR CTSY, the Amp drainage goes down.
When i close the doors, lights do not go out. so i removed all the light bulbs i could find. Under the hood, Top middle, under driver and passenger and center arm rest. I tested the AMP and it was the same, so i diconnected the courtesy timer delay module and it still stays at the same amp drainage.
i have the power antenna disconnected (aftermarket)
only thing left is the cig. lighter but that isnt connected to the socket.
But i did realized that the stereos constant power is connected to the cig lighter by a butt connector, but i dont have a stereo connected.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Are you talking " Anti Theft " or seat belt, " buzzer " ? The anti theft fuse is the CLK LTR CTSY . The buzzer is the black box on the right side of fuse box. And the wire you have in the purple circle.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Still no solution to this problem.
When i disconnect the CLK LTR CTSY, the Amp drainage goes down.
When i close the doors, lights do not go out. so i removed all the light bulbs i could find. Under the hood, Top middle, under driver and passenger and center arm rest. I tested the AMP and it was the same, so i diconnected the courtesy timer delay module and it still stays at the same amp drainage.
i have the power antenna disconnected (aftermarket)
only thing left is the cig. lighter but that isnt connected to the socket.
But i did realized that the stereos constant power is connected to the cig lighter by a butt connector, but i dont have a stereo connected.
When i disconnect the CLK LTR CTSY, the Amp drainage goes down.
When i close the doors, lights do not go out. so i removed all the light bulbs i could find. Under the hood, Top middle, under driver and passenger and center arm rest. I tested the AMP and it was the same, so i diconnected the courtesy timer delay module and it still stays at the same amp drainage.
i have the power antenna disconnected (aftermarket)
only thing left is the cig. lighter but that isnt connected to the socket.
But i did realized that the stereos constant power is connected to the cig lighter by a butt connector, but i dont have a stereo connected.
Last edited by 78 silver 78; Nov 25, 2010 at 06:58 PM. Reason: Add on