Help, battery keeps draining
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Help, battery keeps draining
For some reason the battery in my 68 was dead the day before yesterday. I jumped it and it started right up and ran great, but when I tried to start it a few hours latter it was dead again. Its a new battery and checks out fine, as does the alternator. Its like something is on thats draining the battery. I have checked my wiper override switch and its off. I can't figure out what could be on and draining it. It is a base model without power anything. Any help would be great. thanks, Ray.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eagle WI
You can use an ammeter to find the problem. Connect the meter in series with the connection to the battery (disconnect the positive cable from the battery, connect the meter between the cable and battery positive terminal using test leads or jumpers). With everything turned off, you should only see a few milliamps drain for clock, radio memory if it's a newer radio, etc. Don't forget to close the door or depress pin switch otherwise you'll see drain from the dome lights. If the drain is too high, start pulling fuses one at a time and rechecking the meter. If you pull a fuse and the (excessive) current drain goes down, you know what circuit to check from there. It's difficult to troubleshoot over the internet, but if you know where to look it's a start. If you find the circuit but still can't find the cause, repost what you find and maybe the forum can be some help. Also, a quick check to make sure all coutesy lights are actually off wouldn't hurt!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
....you mentioned the wiper override switch. Do you suspect the windshield wiper? Many years ago I suddenly started having a dead battery problem with my 1968. After much investigation, I finally decided the problem appeared to be that when the car was parked, for instance, overnight, the wiper motor would spontaneously turn on and transition from the parked/stowed windshield wiper position to the unstored/elevated wiper position. (The wipers go to elevated for a brief instant before starting to sweep.) Of course with the motor off and there being no vacuum, the wipers would hit the windshield door and drain the battery. My solution was to install a wiper motor from a 1969 Corvette. I don't advise doing this. I had to build some custom electronics to make the 1969 wiper motor work. I'm restoring my 1968. I've had the 1968 wiper motor restored and I've bought new 1968 harnesses. Hopefully the wiper motor problem doesn't re-appear. Temporary solution: If you suspect your wiper motor, disconnect it from the harness and see if the dead battery problem goes away. PS: when an automobile lead acid battery is completely discharged it permanently looses capacity, about 30% I understand.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Thanks for the help. I do think it may have something to do with the wipers. For some reason they stopped working a few days ago, shortly before the battery problem. I think I am going to just disconect the wiper motor since we don't drive it in the rain and see if that does the trick. (Temporary fix) but then I will need to re-run my electric choke wire since I have it going to the wiper motor.
Thanks, Ray
Thanks, Ray
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I am going through the same thing with the battery and suspect the wipers are somehow involved as well.
Using a battery tender for now.
Using a battery tender for now.
Last edited by OHSIXX; Aug 16, 2004 at 10:40 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
How do you tell if the wiper override switch is turned off?
I have turned it quite a few rotations counter clockwise and it never hits a stop point.
I have turned it quite a few rotations counter clockwise and it never hits a stop point.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
The one thing in your post that I don't see is where you say you charged your battery. An auto alternator was never designed to charge a discharged battery. The first thing you need to do is to put your battery on a long, slow charge - not one of these 15 amp quick charges. Then, after a good charge of 6-8 hours, you start looking for things that can drain the battery. Put a 12V light in line with between the positive terminal and the positive battery cable. If it glows you have a discharge somewhere. Find it, fix it and then enjoy your car.
I have heard of folks with batteries that get discharged by the light in the glove box (the bin behind the seats) being on. Of course this is like a refrigerator light - you never REALLY know if it goes out when the door is closed. Also, I read that a malfunctioning electric clock can drain a battery if the clock fails with the points closed. Does your clock work?
Gary
I have heard of folks with batteries that get discharged by the light in the glove box (the bin behind the seats) being on. Of course this is like a refrigerator light - you never REALLY know if it goes out when the door is closed. Also, I read that a malfunctioning electric clock can drain a battery if the clock fails with the points closed. Does your clock work?
Gary
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Gary, I charged the batter for about 8 hours yesterday and nothing. Now I did do it with the battery still in the car, so whatever is draining it is pulling enough juice that it drains it faster then the battery charger can charge it. I have had the battery tested though and the cells are good. The clock does not work, but it has never worked since I owned the car and this problem just started. I will pull the batter out this evening and charge it again and start from there. I still think it has something to do with the wipers, or my wife has done something that she is not telling me about, ha ha.
Thanks Ray
Thanks Ray
