Dead battery after 2 days

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Feb 18, 2003 | 02:46 PM

Blue88

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Instructor

Joined: May 2002

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From: Richardson Tx

Dead battery after 2 days

I started having problems with my battery going down after 2 days about 2 months ago. I have done a search on the topic for fixes and tried them all. I also found this is a pretty common problem on C4's. My battery was purchased in April 2002 (Duralast) and shows 12.5 volts. After 2 days it will read 9.5 volts. I have pulled fuses while watching a volt/ohm meter and never see the needle move. I have checked it at night for any courtesy lights still burning and nothing is on. The under hood light has been changed to a switch so they are not burning. I have even tried wiggle test to see if I can get the needle to move on the volt/ohm meter and still nothing. My guage shows a charge of 13.8 volts at 70mph and 13.3 to 13.6 at idle. I am at a complete loss and could use some help. Is there anywhere else I can look to find this short? If all else fails I suppose I could buy a battery saver to shut off power to the rest of the car when the voltage drops too low. Thanks for any help you folks can provide.

Feb 18, 2003 | 02:56 PM

jimswhite92

Racer

Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Birmingham AL

Re: Dead battery after 2 days (Blue88)

There are also some fusible links located near the battery that are energized regardless whether the fuses are pulled. Check those circuits also.

Did you check amperage while you were pulling fuses or voltage???

Feb 18, 2003 | 03:28 PM

Blue88

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Instructor

Joined: May 2002

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From: Richardson Tx

Re: Dead battery after 2 days (jimswhite92)

I was checking for a voltage drop. Should I pull the fuses by the battery and check for a drop then or pull them and check at the fuse panel as before?
Thanks for your help.

Feb 18, 2003 | 03:59 PM

jimswhite92

Racer

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 321

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From: Birmingham AL

Re: Dead battery after 2 days (Blue88)

Yea but I would check amperage instead of voltage drop. The current draw may not be significant enough to show a voltage drop. However, amp draw is amp draw. If you can, check amps and go through the pulling fuses routine. If you can't find the source in the fuse panel, then got to the fuse links among other things including alternator, starter, etc.

ALso check this link posted in the last couple of weeks. Good information
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=490595

[Modified by jimswhite92, 3:09 PM 2/18/2003]

Feb 18, 2003 | 04:16 PM

don hall

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 3,842

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From: SANTA CRUZ CA

Re: Dead battery after 2 days (Blue88)

You must use an ammeter to measure current, not a volt/ohm meter. Disconnect one side of the batt and connect an ammeter in-line from the batt post to the disconnected cable connector. Now you should be able determine what component is drawing current when you pull the fuses one at a time.