Just installed a new modern Delco battery in my driver after the old one failed due to a bad cell; replaced under warranty. (Not sure if that's a factor but I mention it for completeness.) The car sat for two days and is now completely dead. Jumped it, drove it for 30 minutes, battery back up to full charge. There clearly is something draining the battery. Any suggestions where to start. Is pulling fuses one at a time the only approach? For now I'm using the disconnect switch. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
glove box light staying on is common -
Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
David: I've seen starters with a short drain a battery. A friends 63 had the same problem recently. When I checked the switch, it was off a little with the dash indicator. When the key was in the off position, it was actually on. It had to be turned all the way to lock position to be off.Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Put your meter in line in between the battery and the positive cable. With everything off, you should see no more than a 70-85 ma draw. You likely have a stronger draw if you're draining your battery in such a short period of time. With the meter in line, remove the fuses one at a time until you see a drop into the normal range. Also look at the voltage regulator. I'm not sure about the externals, maybe someone can chime in on this. When the internal regulators go bad, they will cause a significant draw. If pulling the fuses doesn't reduce your draw, unplug the regulator. Good luck.Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Hello David Let me introduce myself. My name is Chuck Isaac, and Iv'e been in the repair business for myself for 28 years, and have an automotive background for 42 plus years. Electrical repair is one off my specialties. When a customer comes into my repair facility, with a complaint of the battery going dead in a short period of time, there is usually a high amperage drain. The first test I would preform, would be an amperage draw. How much amperage is being consumed? One way is with an amp. meter, or an amp. probe. There is a simpler method on older cars that don't have computers. Take a simple 12volt test light, and disconnect the neg. side of your battery. Connect your clip to the neg. battery cable, and probe the neg. battery post with the point of your test lite. Now this is where the trickey part comes in. How bright is your test lite, if you have a drain? On the older cars, the test lite should be completely out. Now if you preform this test, and your test lite is on, then this would tell you that something is using current. With the test lite connected to battery, the first area I would check, would be the door jam switch. Close the switch and see if your test lite goes out, if not, then tape or disconnect the driver side jam switch. With the jam switch disabled, you can now go under to the fuse box. One at a time, pull each fuse, and each time you pull a fuse, chek your test lite to see if goes out. If not, continue to the next fuse. When you pull the fuse that puts your test lite out, you have found the circut that is causing the drain. You may need a wiring diagram to find out everything on that certain fuse. I take the approach when eliminating certain systems on a certain fuse, is to disconnect the easiest to reach curcit. If you pull all the fuses, and your test lite is still on, then you have a drain that is not protected by a fuse. An example, would be, alternator battery feed. This is a starting point for you to examine your electrical drain. Chuck IsaacComment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Outstanding approach. Thanks!Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
My switch is a bit loose so I just aligned and tightened it and will let it sit a day to see if that is part of the problem. Thanks!Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Chuck, One of the best replies I have seen on the DB. Just printed your post for sure. You should write a little article for "The Restorer" on this very common problems. Thanks, JohnComment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
David,
Chuck's last check was the one that caused this problem for me. A diode on the alternator was shorted and killed the battery overnight.Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
I agree 1000% !!Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
If you have an ongoing problem with the battery drain do not keep charging it with the alternator. They are not intended do do a full charge like this. It will take the alternator out pretty quick if you keep doing that. Put it on a charger and put a good slow charge in the battery..TomComment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Good point. Thanks.Comment
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Re: C2 Battery Drain Tips Please
Well after 24 hrs it turns over fast and strong. I think the misaligned switch was the culprit.
I very much appreciate everyone's advice. I'm glad I didn't have to get too involved with the detective work but it was good to know I had a plan if I needed to.
Happy Motoring!Comment
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