battery
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
battery
hi i have this problem with battery in my 85. i have a interstate battery an every 4 to 5 days or so . while sitting have to recharge .and every 6months or better battery has to be replaced n/g.had car tested for a draw very minor one. i guess its from the factory alarm .also alternater is good anybody had this problem what do i do to fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Make sure your underhood lights aren't staying on when the hood is closed. On my 85 they were staying on and I had the same problem. Removed the bulbs, no more dead battery. 
Seems as if the mercury pellets weren't doing their job in disconnecting the circuit, although I don't know how they could stop working, seems as if the way the work would be foolproof.
Good luck JC
Seems as if the mercury pellets weren't doing their job in disconnecting the circuit, although I don't know how they could stop working, seems as if the way the work would be foolproof.
Good luck JC
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
GM says leakage current should not exceed 50 milliamps. My 87 draws 27 ma. What is yours? Car batteries are not deep discharge batteries and every deep discharge/charge cycle they lose amphour capacity until you have effectively a motorcycle battery. Also, as they discharge, lead sulphate collects on their plates and lead sulphate is a good insulator. A fully sulphated battery is a door stop. Keep your battery charged with a battery tender, or, if you have a charger, buy an interval timer at a hardware store (turns on your home lights every night when you aren't home) and have it operate your charger for its minimum interval (usually 15 mins, but an hour won't hurt your battery).
CONTRARY to popular belief, you cannot let car batteries sit for long (4+wks) periods, they don't like it and neither will you when you have to replace it.
CONTRARY to popular belief, you cannot let car batteries sit for long (4+wks) periods, they don't like it and neither will you when you have to replace it.
