Unexplained battery drain-need some suggestions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Unexplained battery drain-need some suggestions
I haven't been driving my '78 Silver Anniversary Edition a lot lately, and have been having problems with the battery going dead with it just sitting in the garage in less than a week. At first I thought it was something that was still "on" that I didn't notice, but I can't find anything. Then I tried replacing the battery. Still does it. Anyone else encounter this problem? Any clues on where to look, or tips to try to find and isolate the problem?
In the mean time, I'm just disconnecting the battery when it is in the garage.
In the mean time, I'm just disconnecting the battery when it is in the garage.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
I had the same problem happen to me just last week, i kept on thinking the battery was dying, it turned out that the contacts on the battery were coming loose and causing it to die. I would closely check out the connections there, as well as at the alternator. also see if you can get a shop to test your alternator to see if its making any current. Hope this helps you out and good luck 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
First off, things stay on - how about a stereo with memory settings or the clock? These will eventually drain the battery but it should take longer than 1 week. If it's not a short in your alternator but something in the electrical system, there is a way to test.
Let's see, there was an old technique...hmmmm. Oh yes. As I remember you can try the following:
- Remove the positive lead from the battery and place a multi-tester in series (correctly oriented) in this line between the lead and the battery. It should show some current flowing or give a reading.
- Now, one by one, starting pulling fuses.
- When the current draw stops and goes to zero, that's the one! Whatever is in that circuit is the culprit...
It might be the primary electric device (clock, lights,etc.) or it might be a short in the wiring to the device....
Good luck
Let's see, there was an old technique...hmmmm. Oh yes. As I remember you can try the following:
- Remove the positive lead from the battery and place a multi-tester in series (correctly oriented) in this line between the lead and the battery. It should show some current flowing or give a reading.
- Now, one by one, starting pulling fuses.
- When the current draw stops and goes to zero, that's the one! Whatever is in that circuit is the culprit...
It might be the primary electric device (clock, lights,etc.) or it might be a short in the wiring to the device....Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Overall check
1 Check Bat. for draw by removing pos. & using a meter or light.
Note that stereo memory &/or CLK fuse w/ clock will have a minimal draw w/ door switch closed.
Locate circuit
2 As Z-man said standard way or pull fuses & check for current draw across fuse terminal. CLK fuse w/ clock will have a minimal draw w/ door switch closed.
1 Check Bat. for draw by removing pos. & using a meter or light.
Note that stereo memory &/or CLK fuse w/ clock will have a minimal draw w/ door switch closed.
Locate circuit
2 As Z-man said standard way or pull fuses & check for current draw across fuse terminal. CLK fuse w/ clock will have a minimal draw w/ door switch closed.
