Dead Battery !!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Dead Battery !!!!
Why would my 86 have a dead battery I reolaced the battery so I know its good. I also have the battery hooked up to a battery tender and it seems it can't keep up? Nothing is running or left on either. I'm looking into a battery dis-connect to solve this problem but it has to be something. I have heard about this problem from othe Vette people but can it be fixed?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
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If you have access to a hand held multimeter, you can put it in the current measure mode. Remove the negative battery terminal and install the meter in line (one lead on neg bat terminal, the other on cable). You should be able to measure a current draw. You should then remove the fuses one at a time until the current draw goes away. Then check whatever the fuse you just removed provides current for.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Your correct when you say "It has to be something". If your new battery is being drawn down while on a tender then either the battery is shorted,the tender is either bad or hooked up backwards or you have one big azz drain on the system. Assuming it is a drain,I would start by pulling fuses until I found which circuit is the offender and check from there.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Start your ammeter out on it highest current scale because the courtesy lights will come on. After they go out you will be measuring the leakage current. GM says leakage should not be higher than 50 milliamps. My 87 measures 27 ma. My guess is that you have current drain higher than your battery tender delivers. First check at night for underhood lights, vanity mirror lights, and the console light. Do you have a radar detector or aftermarket alarm or aftermarket audio amplifier or radio? Check em. Then start pulling fuses and watching the ammeter. Also, disconnect your battery and charge it back up with your battery tender or charger.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
I used to own an '81. The analog clock would discharge the battery if it wasn't charged within a two week period. Installing a battery switch solved the problem.
I've never had a problem with the battery discharging in my '86. During the winter storage, I remove both cables from the battery. I also use a Battery Tender for a few days about every two weeks.
I've never had a problem with the battery discharging in my '86. During the winter storage, I remove both cables from the battery. I also use a Battery Tender for a few days about every two weeks.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Leaving the keys in the ignition when parked in the garage has been reported to cause excessive battery drain.
Also, hood lights (if mecury switch damaged), or interior lights staying on (if door curtesy light switch is stuck).
Might any of these be the problem?
Also, hood lights (if mecury switch damaged), or interior lights staying on (if door curtesy light switch is stuck).
Might any of these be the problem?
