68 327 auto battery died hard
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
68 327 auto battery died hard
I'll cut to the chase. Started my cars last week prior to the deep freeze. My 68 started and ran fine. Put the tender back on it. After a few days, the light didn't go green. So I opened the door to see if the light went on. It did. Checked every day and the tender never went green. Today with somewhat sane weather, I went to start it. Nothing. My multi meter was reading in milli volts if that's even possible. So I hooked my booster to it. 1000 amps. Didn't even act like it was connected. So convinced the battery is dead beyond. Owned the car since August. No issues so far. Been using the tender since late September and starting it every week. The booster is good. Used it already on another car. I double checked that it was engaged in park. Something drained this thing hard is my thought. Anyone have suggestions? Could a tender do this? What would be common issues with an early C3 to cause it? I'm going to pull the battery and check it out if the car. If it's this dead I would hate to hook a charger to it in the car. A battery this dead isn't likely to hold a charge long term anyway but just to see if I can get it to start. Hopefully someone has been down this road with an early C3 before and can shed insight. It would be appreciated. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After writing this and reading it I have some thoughts. I've NEVER seen a battery this low. With the booster not even acting like it was hooked up could say that there was no solid connection. Negative battery cable connection under the car? Could it be that simple?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Only experience I had like this was when I was checking something with the key in the on position and I forgot to move it back to off and remove the key. After 3 days, battery was dead, tried to charge it, only could get it to about 8 V. Took it in to have it charged and checked and they could get it to about 10. They said a cell in the battery was dead. But I had it in the on position and with nothing on. Something drained my battery, still don't know what, but I put a new one in and have been good to go. '72
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hmm. When I put in the key, I noticed that the outer bezel wasn't completely in the vertical position. But that doesn't necessarily mean the switch was not off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 725
From: Marietta GA
First, how old is your battery? My Battery tender is the 4 Amp Model and I believe that it will not charge anything below 4 volts (I think). I had a 4 year old battery in my Pontiac that would not every complete the charge. After a day or so one of the LEDs on the Battery Tender started flashing, I looked in the manual and it said the led coming on meant the battery was toast. If your battery is old two years old, take to one of the chain auto parts stores and they can hook up a machine that will test the battery 10 different ways. Batteries can cause all kinds of trouble. Years ago my son had a two year old Mustang V8. The alternator stop working, so I buy a replacement, it was easy to replace as the alternator was on the front of the engine. I replaced the alternator, then connected the wires (a electrical plug that only went on one way). I go to attach the battery and sparks start to fly. Now, remember there was no way to connect the wires to the alternator wrong, the plug would only go into its receiver one way. After a while, I called the Ford Dealer and had the car towed in, they called me the next day. They said the battery had a shorted cell, they installed a new battery, and told me to come get the car. Batteries will do strange things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 1,390
Did you by any chance try using the wipers and interrupt them before they parked? Your 68 has a goofball wiper circuit and if you interrupt the wipers at the wrong time the wiper door solenoid stays energized (yes, even if the key is off).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,970
Likes: 4,521
From: Virginia
I don't use battery tenders. I DO use battery disconnects (even on my new-ish truck). You just discovered why.
Pull the battery out to test/charge before something really bad happens. What is a 1000 Amp booster?
Pull the battery out to test/charge before something really bad happens. What is a 1000 Amp booster?
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks for all the replies. I did check battery voltage and it was doa. I do plan on taking it out today so I can test it. The battery does not look that old. I did not see a date on it but it reasonably could be a few years old. My 1000 amp booster is the NOCO GB40. I've been using a tender on my 14 for 4.5 years and on the 99 forever and have had no issues. I did not use the wipers the last time I started it. Just cycled through the gears and turned on the lights. I will update the status of this as I work towards a resolution. I do appreciate all the feedback and keep it coming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Before pulling the juice-box, you need to isolate what the issue truly is.
Is there a bad GRD at the frame?
Or, is there truly a "parasitic draw".
To find out if there is a constant draw, the battery should be in place.
Use an Ohm Meter between NEG post & NEG cable and see if something is running (besides the dome light) all the time.
Often these hidden gremlins can draw quite a bit of amperage w/o even knowing it.
Compartment light?
Wiper relay?
Alarm system?
Stereo system?
Spare tire carrier light?
Diode in the ALT?
Is there a bad GRD at the frame?
Or, is there truly a "parasitic draw".
To find out if there is a constant draw, the battery should be in place.
Use an Ohm Meter between NEG post & NEG cable and see if something is running (besides the dome light) all the time.
Often these hidden gremlins can draw quite a bit of amperage w/o even knowing it.
Compartment light?
Wiper relay?
Alarm system?
Stereo system?
Spare tire carrier light?
Diode in the ALT?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,771
Likes: 2,596
Why are you starting the car? Leave it connected to a battery maintainer, typically puts out around 1+ amps and monitors charge of battery and adjusts output accordingly. I use Deltran, batteries are good for 7 to 8 years in my experience.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Before pulling the juice-box, you need to isolate what the issue truly is.
Is there a bad GRD at the frame?
Or, is there truly a "parasitic draw".
To find out if there is a constant draw, the battery should be in place.
Use an Ohm Meter between NEG post & NEG cable and see if something is running (besides the dome light) all the time.
Often these hidden gremlins can draw quite a bit of amperage w/o even knowing it.
Compartment light?
Wiper relay?
Alarm system?
Stereo system?
Spare tire carrier light?
Diode in the ALT?
Is there a bad GRD at the frame?
Or, is there truly a "parasitic draw".
To find out if there is a constant draw, the battery should be in place.
Use an Ohm Meter between NEG post & NEG cable and see if something is running (besides the dome light) all the time.
Often these hidden gremlins can draw quite a bit of amperage w/o even knowing it.
Compartment light?
Wiper relay?
Alarm system?
Stereo system?
Spare tire carrier light?
Diode in the ALT?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks Peterbuilt. I am aware of the location of the ground underneath the battery but didn't suspect to check the starter. I will do so regardless. When I went to pull the battery the dome light came on very dim. Instead of milli volts it's now reading 5.35. I took the battery out. The cables and terminals look good. Going to charge the battery. There is no date on it but it could be 3 years old. At this point I will get a new one. Just want to see if it holds a charge. I don't think I will be checking these grounds until it warms up. The draw from the negative cable did not make me think I have a short. My guess is the grounds. I will keep you posted but anything else is appreciated.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,259
Likes: 9,397
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
There a few things that kill a 68 battery....the center glove box light will kill the battery if its left unlatched or just not latched tight enough, ..
just bumping the wiper override with your knee will activate it and kill your battery, doesnt matter if you were running them or not, .....
and the act of starting the car and not running the rpm up high enough to excite a charge and not running it long enough to charge....
Put in a battery disconnect or you will be chasing problems as long as you own it. Its better to get in and drive than get out to jump it
just bumping the wiper override with your knee will activate it and kill your battery, doesnt matter if you were running them or not, .....
and the act of starting the car and not running the rpm up high enough to excite a charge and not running it long enough to charge....
Put in a battery disconnect or you will be chasing problems as long as you own it. Its better to get in and drive than get out to jump it
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There a few things that kill a 68 battery....the center glove box light will kill the battery if its left unlatched or just not latched tight enough, ..
just bumping the wiper override with your knee will activate it and kill your battery, doesnt matter if you were running them or not, .....
and the act of starting the car and not running the rpm up high enough to excite a charge and not running it long enough to charge....
Put in a battery disconnect or you will be chasing problems as long as you own it. Its better to get in and drive than get out to jump it
just bumping the wiper override with your knee will activate it and kill your battery, doesnt matter if you were running them or not, .....
and the act of starting the car and not running the rpm up high enough to excite a charge and not running it long enough to charge....
Put in a battery disconnect or you will be chasing problems as long as you own it. Its better to get in and drive than get out to jump it
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,259
Likes: 9,397
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Mine is in between the seats so i can get to it easily..you can put it in the battery compartment or the jack compartment if you go with a big lever. If you get the battery cable post type it solves that question. It depends on your needs and it will demand wiring, new crimps for the cables, a good crimp tool. Harbor freight has a good hydraulic one, amazon probably does too.