1984 Corvette Wiring problem
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
1984 Corvette Wiring problem
I just recently bought a 1984 Corvette to restore. I'm having a problem with the battery not holding a charge and it wont start after two days of recharging the battery. I've replaced battery and alternator. I think I have a wiring problem. Something may be shorting out and draining the battery. I think it may be the starter but I'm not sure. Does anyone have anything that I could try to fix it.
I also Have another problem with my fan. The guy who had it before me rigged the fan to run constantly with the ignition on. does anyone have pictures of what is suppose to look like correctly so I can fix it back to the way its suppose to be. It is also missing the engine temp part for the fan and the coolant level switch stuff has been removed.
I also Have another problem with my fan. The guy who had it before me rigged the fan to run constantly with the ignition on. does anyone have pictures of what is suppose to look like correctly so I can fix it back to the way its suppose to be. It is also missing the engine temp part for the fan and the coolant level switch stuff has been removed.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
There are many things that will run a battery flat ( seperate problem )
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I have come to the conclusion that it is not the starter. I completely tore the car apart disconnecting every connector in the car looking for a faulty circuit by attaching a multimeter to the battery negative cable and the multimeter to the negative post on the battery. It is pulling 12.71V with the engine off. What is the normal draw on the battery. I disconnected all the fuses hoping that I would get something out of it. I still cannot find the short in the wiring some where. I know the alternator works because when I turn the car on and let it run the dash tells me I'm getting like 13.7 -14.3V. Would the ignition maybe be a problem?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
There is a circuit somewhere that is draining your battery. Disconnect the battery ground cable and connect an ammeter from the battery to ground. With everything off, including courtesy lights, underhood lights, etc. the reading should be in the range of a few milliamps, but likely will show greater current. Pull fuses one at a time and watch for the current to drop, when that happens, that is the faulty circuit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
They have inline fusible links
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
battery drain
Electic antenna could be pulling power. I disconnected the power to my 85's original electric antenna couple days ago when it quit retracting and the motor would continue to run even with the the ignition off.
Easy to do, raise the rear window and remove the plastic molding that goes around the rear latch. On the drivers side of the latch a connector where two plastic plug into, remove one of these and you have no power to the electric antenna.
Don't need a raised antenna for local FM.
Easy to do, raise the rear window and remove the plastic molding that goes around the rear latch. On the drivers side of the latch a connector where two plastic plug into, remove one of these and you have no power to the electric antenna.
Don't need a raised antenna for local FM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
rodj is correct, I would do the fuses first because it is easier, and if the problem is not found, look at the other circuits. Best to have a wiring diagram for this.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I charged the battery and tried the Milli amps test. the multimeter tells me 0 and doesn't move. I even tried the 12V DC as well and it stays at 12.78V I'm wondering if the battery is going bad after dieing so many times now. I bought a new starter hoping that that may be the problem I'm putting it on today. I was thinking it might have been the antenna, so i replaced it with one from eBay and it still doesn't work. I will probably just unplug it anyways to make sure. I'm thinking that it might be the starter. Is it possible for the solenoid to stick and constantly draw battery power? cause even after charging the battery the car wont start anymore. Unless its because the battery has gone bad. I don't know its a tricky one lol. I really appreciate everyone's help its just getting me one step closer to fixing this problem thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I would have a load test done on the battery. This will tell you if it is failing. This is a simple test that takes only a minute and most stores that sell batteries will do it, no charge (no pun intended).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Even if the battery turns out to be weak, there may still be an underlying problem causing a drain, not yet discovered. It wouldn't hurt to repeat the current draw test with the milliammeter with the replacement battery, if you wind up replacing it.
