Start Up problems!!... Help pls!

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Feb 4, 2015 | 08:03 PM

Flo23

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 22

Likes: 1

From: Hidalgo Texas

Start Up problems!!... Help pls!

Hey guys i have a 1991 L98 vette....for some reason everytime i want to use it i have to boost it or else it wont turn on..i only use it once or twice a month the battery has been on car about 3-4 years,alternator is new and i took it to autozone and they said battery is good...any advice is appreciated!

Feb 4, 2015 | 09:52 PM

Ozzstar

Pro

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 702

Likes: 259

From: Middletown Delaware

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flo23

First check for obvious things like the interior lights are on when they shouldn't, or the dome light or rear view mirror map light is on, when it should not be.

Do a search on 'parasitic draw test'. It is fairly simple to do with a multimeter and will lead you to the circuit which is running the battery down when not in use. Report back with your findings.

Feb 4, 2015 | 11:09 PM

Flo23

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 22

Likes: 1

From: Hidalgo Texas

The last time i used it i made sure no lights were on etc but even then it wouldnt turn on the next day i had installed some hid headlights a while back but i removed them cuz it caused problems with the headlight motor etc....but i sure will try that i appreciate it thank you for the advice!!

Feb 5, 2015 | 08:55 AM

playsdixie

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,590

Likes: 60

From: ft myers FL/Munising MI

lots of threads re: parasitic draw....an internet search will turn up some good video's....basically remove pos terminal , meter between terminal and battery and start pulling fuses until the current drops...you'll have to set the door so it doesn't ativate cts light....wait a few minutes after getting the meter on...hooking it in series with the battery activates the cts circuiit for a few minutes.(like you opened a door)....I chased my tail over that one for awhile.....

Feb 5, 2015 | 09:11 AM

hcbph

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 4,427

Likes: 603

From: Minneapolis Mn

Another thing that can be done is a battery shutoff. If you disconnect the battery when it's charged, if you hook it up the next day will it start the car? That would confirm parasitic drain being your problem.

Feb 6, 2015 | 05:41 AM

Cliff Harris

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 10,036

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From: Anaheim CA

Some common causes of your symptoms are motors that don't shut off when they are supposed to. The ones I've heard can cause problems are the seat motors, antenna motor and headlight motors

Making sure the interior lights go out after the timeout period is a good check. I have heard of underhood lights that did not go out when the hood was closed.

Feb 6, 2015 | 11:26 AM

pcolt94

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 5,620

Likes: 206

From: Orlando FL

If you have 3 plus years on the battery you are out of the reliability window for a battery. An older battery will not hold a charge as long as a new battery and depending on conditions may need to be charged more than twice a month to keep it from deteriorating any more.

Having said that, the test at AutoZone is probably good for a "today" test but will not tell you if it will crank the car in 2 or 3 weeks.

Leave you battery disconnected for a 2 week period and then reconnect it, then try to start the car. If it won't crank and start, then obviously the draw you thought you might have is not there and the battery is bad. On the other hand if it cranks like a champ, then you can look for a current draw problem in the car.