Battery draining

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Dec 18, 2003 | 08:03 AM

Steve's98

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 395

Likes: 4

From: Addison Il

Battery draining

I have a 89 with a newer Delco battery. The car wont start after a week and a half to two weeks of sitting. I live in Chicago and it is cold here now, but I know that it should last longer then that. What is the best way to check for a short?

Thanks,

Steve

Dec 18, 2003 | 08:31 AM

jmrl98

Drifting

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 1,509

Likes: 3

From: Hazel Park MI

Re: Battery draining (Steve's89)

Don't count out the bad battery. I bought a delco from a recommended place, and it was bad. When I took it back a week & 1/2 later, the place had taken them out 'cause they weren't selling! I called Delco, they told me to take it to some other retailers for a new one. I got a delco from Murray's (don't know if you have those in Chi-town) and that was bad, according to their battery charger!! Went to Sears and got a diehard, no problems since. You should have a trickle charger on the battery - it will help. I don't really "store" my car - I start it every 2-3 weeks and take for a short drive, if the snow/salt allows. :seeya

Dec 18, 2003 | 10:39 AM

vinnies87

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 9,884

Likes: 3

From: Magnolia Mississippi

St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07

Re: Battery draining (Steve's89)

take it out, get it checked.... :thumbs:

Dec 18, 2003 | 06:36 PM

oldace84

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 13,356

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From: tucson AZ

St. Jude Donor '04 & '05

Re: Battery draining (vinnies87)

Quote:

take it out, get it checked.... :thumbs:

:iagree:
Go from there.
tony

Dec 18, 2003 | 07:20 PM

Sam Lam

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 2,118

Likes: 0

From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club

Re: Battery draining (Steve's89)

Steve: An easy check would be to make sure the battery is fully charged with engine off (voltage should be 12.5 to 13 volts). Disconnect the positive terminal and let her sit for a week. Reconnect the battery and see what happens. This will tell you if you have a bad battery or a "short" somewhere. I hope you do not have a short as this can be a "pesky" problem!

Dec 18, 2003 | 07:52 PM

Mr Mojo

Elite Torch Red Member

Joined: Sep 1999

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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo

Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator

CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet

CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07

Re: Battery draining (Steve's89)

AC Delco batteries are notorious for having the terminals fall out. It's not always noticable, so you may get a short due to it's falling out(but not all the way). My car was on it's 3rd battery(in 5 years) because of this. I know this for several reasons. Reason 1, I saw a terminal from a previous battery in the bottom of the tray. Reason 2, I met the original owner and she told me that had happened.

Dec 18, 2003 | 10:39 PM

SPEED750

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 1,144

Likes: 18

From: Panhandle FL

Re: Battery draining (Mr Mojo)

Disconnect the negative side of the battery.Now take 12volt test light and connect it between the neg post and your battery cable.It should light up for 1/2 second while it powers up your computer/clock whatever.If it stays lit then you have a problem.Start pulling fuses untill the light goes out, then you know what circuit is pulling a drain. :chevy

Dec 19, 2003 | 08:08 PM

TheStef

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,229

Likes: 1

Re: Battery draining (SPEED750)

I have an aftermarket alarm system... my battery also goes dead after about 1 week and half to two weeks of being parked "its parked for winter"

I figured it was just because of my aftermarket alarm system draining the battery.

Just trying to give you some ideas