Battery Keeps draining
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Battery Keeps draining
Hi, im new to the forum. i bought my 77 vette when i was 16 and have been working on it little by little for the bast few years now. i finally replaced the batter so that i could start the car more often since i just redid all the breaks, and after a week of not starting the car, i find the new batter dead. the car wouldn't make a sound when i turned the key. As this could be from anything, does anyone have suggestions as to what to check first?
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
battery
Hi, im new to the forum. i bought my 77 vette when i was 16 and have been working on it little by little for the bast few years now. i finally replaced the batter so that i could start the car more often since i just redid all the breaks, and after a week of not starting the car, i find the new batter dead. the car wouldn't make a sound when i turned the key. As this could be from anything, does anyone have suggestions as to what to check first?
Thanks
Thanks
The glove box light could be staying on draining the battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi and welcome again.
Here's a very good how to:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...with-pics.html
1977 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201977.pdf
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...with-pics.html
1977 schematic:
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201977.pdf
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
yes, alternator is new. it has no glove box, it has the accordion style pockets. the previous owner removed the ac system (crudely), so i wonder if that might have something to do with it. petes74ttop, thank you for the links, they both look very useful. ill have to give this a try this weekend
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
For some reason my '79 was doing this when I 1st bought it. I installed a battery disconnect and used it the 1st year. I still have the battery disconnect installed but the electrical system must of got scared because I've left it connected for many years and NO PROBLEMS.
If you can't find your problem - install a battery disconnect. Besides when I work on any electical issues , it takes me 2 secs to remove the battery from the work problem.
If you can't find your problem - install a battery disconnect. Besides when I work on any electical issues , it takes me 2 secs to remove the battery from the work problem.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 182
Likes: 14
From: Rangiora,New Zealand
Hi I have a 77 that had the same problem, it was the dimmer relay under the dash pad just above the tacho,unless you want to pull the pad off (not a good idea) and unplug it, I would suggest disconnecting the door switches (which are behind each foot panel)which turn on your interior lights
good luck
cheers Dave
good luck
cheers Dave
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
One more thing to look for, the alternator wire bundle clamped behind the alternator can wear through the insulation causing an intemittent short to ground. It happened to mine ('75) and took a long time to figure out. These are old cars and a lot of odd little things happen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
I have 2 problems I have found in my 1977 the horn switch broke and the hood courtesy light switch is worn out. Today I went down to the auto parts store and purchased a battery cutoff switch so I quit draining my battery until I order the parts to fix the problems. if I still have a battery drain after I fix these 2 problems I will start looking again but so far these are the only 2 problems I have found.
For testing the circuits I purchased this light probe DORMAN/CONDUCT-TITE ELECTRICAL MULTI TESTER I chose this one because it also has an audio sound when I cannot see the light.
I went through the fuse box and then tested each courtesy light switch. This Probe will also allow you to poke into the wire harness if needed with a pin to Peirce the wire coating.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=88099_0_0_
For long term storage these are also good so your not disconnecting and reconnecting the terminal leads which I can tell you is a pain in the butt.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=815834_0_0_
For testing the circuits I purchased this light probe DORMAN/CONDUCT-TITE ELECTRICAL MULTI TESTER I chose this one because it also has an audio sound when I cannot see the light.
I went through the fuse box and then tested each courtesy light switch. This Probe will also allow you to poke into the wire harness if needed with a pin to Peirce the wire coating.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=88099_0_0_
For long term storage these are also good so your not disconnecting and reconnecting the terminal leads which I can tell you is a pain in the butt.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=815834_0_0_
Last edited by MakoJoe; Jun 1, 2013 at 07:28 PM.
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Mi
An easy way to find a battery drain is to put an amp meter in series with the negative cable With everything off you should see close to zero amp draw.
If you see a draw pull the fuses one by one until the draw goes away. You will then know your troubled circuit and can investigate that circuit.
Don't forget your dome light will be on when you are checking the fuses.
Hope this helps
If you see a draw pull the fuses one by one until the draw goes away. You will then know your troubled circuit and can investigate that circuit.
Don't forget your dome light will be on when you are checking the fuses.
Hope this helps