Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior


another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/10/16 11:51pm Message 1 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
About a month ago I took the car out for a drive.  Everything ran great, made several stops, nothing unusual in regards to starting or running.  Parked it in the garage and it sat for about two weeks.  A week or so ago thought I'd take my younger daughter to school in it and then drive it to work.  Tried to start it - nothing.  Not even a solenoid click.  I think battery voltage was only like 2 volts or something.  Put the 2 amp charger on it for a couple of days and the green light came on indicating everything was A-OK.  But voltage was only showing 11.5.  Enough to turn the motor over 1/2 turn, but that was it.  The battery is less than a year old, it's an interstate from Costco.  Just a battery or something worse?  I could go get a new battery from Costco, but probably not an effective method of troubleshooting.  Major electrical drain?  My factory alarm system does work (at least it did) but I know they can be problematic with drain.  Until now I really haven't had any drain problems - car could sit for two months and still start no problem.  Alternator or regulator?  At a loss here.... thanks



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/11/16 5:19am Message 2 of 20
Limited Member
Send PM
Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
You will need to disconnect the battery and put a volt ohm meter between the cable and the battery terminal and measure the current draw when everything is off. If that is just a few milliamps, then your battery is probably bad. You can take your battery to most auto parts stores and get it tested for free though before you return it.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/11/16 9:58am Message 3 of 20
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20224
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Charge the battery, and then take it to have it tested. It has to be fully charged to get a reliable test result. A lot of things on these cars can drain a batt overnight, or over a few days, including the clock, a bad alternator, interior light left on, the alarm relay, etc. Start with the basics, and verify the battery is good before doing anything else. Thumbs Up


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/12/16 11:54pm Message 4 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Thanks guys. Battery on charger now (again) and will take it. In this weekend to have it tested . We shall see !



 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/13/16 12:39pm Message 5 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Gig Harbor, WA - USA
Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405
Vette(s): 1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.
Dave - +1 on getting the battery tested then testing the system for draw with an ohm meter. Usually any kind of spark when you connect the last cable is a good indicator of current draw. 

Worst case if you can't hunt it down is a battery cut off switch. Doesn't necessarily fix the problem, but it will protect your battery and keep you from getting stranded. Just installed an Ebay cheapie on my car (NCRS requirement for indoor events) and it works pretty decent. Very convenient to disconnect while doing any electrical work. Make sure to get one with a black knob and hook it to the negative side of the battery, not the positive.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted out.
John



John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member



Duct tape is the new Black !!

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/13/16 11:49pm Message 6 of 20
Standard Member
Send PM
New Zealand
Joined: 3/26/2005
Posts: 232
Vette(s): Silver '81 mostly original C3. Silver interior, bilstiens, big sway bars, headers.

Just a quick caution with the volt/ohm meter suggestions...   I'm guessing this is what is also called a multi meter, make sure you have it set to the highest Amp scale it has (usually 10 Amps) before connecting it in line between the battery post and the cable normally connected to that battery post.

If it's on ohms, you will instantly fry the meter.  Poof !!

If it's on volts, it will happily tell you a voltage of some sorts, and not destroy the meter, but not helpful.

If on the 10 Amp scale you only get a small or negligible reading, then drop down the scales in turn until

a reading is present. This is all key off of course, and don't turn the key at any time.


Also, while you have one meter probe connected to the +12V batter post and the meter is on any Amps/millAmps  scale, do not let the other meter probe accidentally touch a metal part of the car or POOF - no more meter !!


Cheers





Kiwi Chris

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/14/16 6:00am Message 7 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Once you've determined the battery is good, disconnect the negative battery cable and run a test light between the negative post and the cable end.  The test light should illuminate.  Then remove one fuse at a time until the light goes out.  When that happens you've isolated the circuit the battery drain originates from.  Then you can determine what part of the circuit the problem lies.

If your car has the courtesy light timer, it's very common for those to go bad from age and either fail to turn the courtesy lights off or come on at odd times and drain the battery.

You could also have a bad diode in the alternator which makes for a constant drain on the battery.



Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/16/16 12:16am Message 8 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Vman73 said: Dave - +1 on getting the battery tested then testing the system for draw with an ohm meter. Usually any kind of spark when you connect the last cable is a good indicator of current draw. 

Worst case if you can't hunt it down is a battery cut off switch. Doesn't necessarily fix the problem, but it will protect your battery and keep you from getting stranded. Just installed an Ebay cheapie on my car (NCRS requirement for indoor events) and it works pretty decent. Very convenient to disconnect while doing any electrical work. Make sure to get one with a black knob and hook it to the negative side of the battery, not the positive.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted out.
John


Thanks, John.  I've had a cut-off switch installed for several years now (it's actually a decent one) but I don't typically have to use it, even if I won't drive the car for a month.  Going to be looking for some sort of drain.  

Got the battery tested today - tested bad.  It was fully charged, green light on my charger was on and the guy at AutoZone confirmed that it was charged.  But bad.  Going to be getting a new one at Costco later this week and then doing some verifying that I don't have a drain problem.  Thanks to all for the suggestions!




 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/16/16 12:18am Message 9 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
CeeDee said:

Just a quick caution with the volt/ohm meter suggestions...   I'm guessing this is what is also called a multi meter, make sure you have it set to the highest Amp scale it has (usually 10 Amps) before connecting it in line between the battery post and the cable normally connected to that battery post.

If it's on ohms, you will instantly fry the meter.  Poof !!

If it's on volts, it will happily tell you a voltage of some sorts, and not destroy the meter, but not helpful.

If on the 10 Amp scale you only get a small or negligible reading, then drop down the scales in turn until

a reading is present. This is all key off of course, and don't turn the key at any time.


Also, while you have one meter probe connected to the +12V batter post and the meter is on any Amps/millAmps  scale, do not let the other meter probe accidentally touch a metal part of the car or POOF - no more meter !!


Cheers



Thanks - yep I know about the concerns about testing current draw with the multimeter.  Mine you have to move the red lead to a different terminal if you want to test on the 10A setting.  Even then if it's drawing anywhere close to that you can only let it operate at that current for a matter of seconds, I think.  Will be careful...thanks.  





 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Re: another battery shot? or major electrical drain?

Posted: 5/16/16 12:24am Message 10 of 20
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Gunslinger said: Once you've determined the battery is good, disconnect the negative battery cable and run a test light between the negative post and the cable end.  The test light should illuminate.  Then remove one fuse at a time until the light goes out.  When that happens you've isolated the circuit the battery drain originates from.  Then you can determine what part of the circuit the problem lies.

If your car has the courtesy light timer, it's very common for those to go bad from age and either fail to turn the courtesy lights off or come on at odd times and drain the battery.

You could also have a bad diode in the alternator which makes for a constant drain on the battery.

No courtesy light timer on mine.  It is possible the interior lights were on all night, but it's unlikely.  It's parked in our garage right now where I see it all the time at night versus my shop where it usually lives.  But possible.  Doesn't take much for a door switch to fail and go to ground which turns on the lights.  Alternator is definitely a possibility too.  It's a reman that I bet is more than 10 years old.  Or the alarm relay.  Or something else.  Or it could just be the battery with no drain.  I'll be looking into it later this week.  Thanks for the suggestions.  





 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

in Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)