Topic: battery draining
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 7/30/2007
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe L-82, auto. black with med saddle interior.
2004 Conv. triple black, auto.
Greetings Friends:
I have a 73 L-82 Coupe auto. If I let the car set for 4-5 days the battery does not have enough juice to start the car. The clock and interior lights work but all I get is a "click" if I attempt to fire it up. I have had the car checked by 2 reliable vette shops and neither can locate the drain on the battery. The battery is new. This is frustrating. Any suggestions. friends?
Jim Phoenix AZ
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Jim,
Unknown battery drainage & hot feet are just 2 things to love about these cars.
For starters, you could pull all of the fuses and replace them one at at time to see hich circuit is causing the drain. A common culprit is the rear compartment center glove box light.
I gave up and installed a battery cut-off switch (green knob) on the negative terminal. These can be bought at any auto parts store.
This topic comesd up at least once every couple of months, do a search on the topic.
Good luck,
Anthony
Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 7/30/2007
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe L-82, auto. black with med saddle interior.
2004 Conv. triple black, auto.
greetings Anthony:
Thank you. I bought that cut-off switch but when I use it the clock stops and I need to reset evry time I go for a ride...the things we do for old Vettes!
Same here, I gave up a while ago and installed a cut-off switch.
Funny thing about this clock; I didn't have a battery problem until I repaired my clock. Without the clock, I could go for almost a month with the battery; after I fixed it; 1 week at the most. The clock takes a little bit of juice evey 1 to 2 minutes.
Hi All,
My expeirence is that the mechanical clock in my 72 will run down a new battery in about a month.
I replaced it with the quartz update thinking it would do better so I would not have to disconnect the battery. Not so, the quartz clock is just the same - about a month.
So, I just put the battery switch in and I have to reset the clock when I want it to be right.
If the battery is going dead otherwise, something else is wrong obviously.
My battery now can last for many months and still start the car with the switch open.......
Now to the real problem, interior lights work but just a click? This indicates something wrong in the cables, ground connections or the like.....If you have original battery cables ( aluminum..ha ha they =
junk) I would start looking there. There is a high resistance someplace, a good mechanic should be able to find this real easy.
Bruce
Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl 
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Former Member
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Phoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 7/30/2007
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe L-82, auto. black with med saddle interior.
2004 Conv. triple black, auto.
Thank you, I am going to adhere to all of the terrific advise and flip the switch! I'm gonna use the battery cut-off and quit worrying about time.The important issue is that the clock works... and the ol' Vette fires up. I really appreciate the help!!
Jim
Phoenix AZ
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
When yer drivin the Vette, it's ALWAYS HAPPY TIME!!!!
No matter what the clock says!
The clock will drain the battery over time, but not usually in just a couple of days. There are several circuits that are "live" even with the key off. The clock is one, as is the horn relay, and the alarm(if you have it), and the headlight circuit.
Best is to use the cut-off switch, and get a "Battery Minder/Tender"...you'll be happier in the end. It sucks to be ready to go somewhere and the batt. is dead...
No matter what the clock says!
The clock will drain the battery over time, but not usually in just a couple of days. There are several circuits that are "live" even with the key off. The clock is one, as is the horn relay, and the alarm(if you have it), and the headlight circuit.
Best is to use the cut-off switch, and get a "Battery Minder/Tender"...you'll be happier in the end. It sucks to be ready to go somewhere and the batt. is dead...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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in Forum: C3 Electrical
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