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Post by RIP OLDS on Dec 10, 2008 20:40:46 GMT -5
I forgot to sign in:
Two weeks ago I go to start my 65 442 and the battery was completely dead (0 volts). This was not much of a surprise since it was the first very cold spell, the battery was nearly 5 years old, I had done a lot of work on the car over the summer (an interior restoration), and my MSD 6AL ignition box went bad following the restoration so I was doing a lot of cranking when troubleshooting the ignition box issue.
The alternator was recently checked and found to be strong, the voltmeter always shows 13-14 Volts when running, so I went out and bought a new battery. Tonight I go out to run the car and the new battery is completely dead again. Something is obviously draining the battery while the car sits. I have never had this problem before, and I have not added anything to the car. What's the best way to troubleshoot this issue? Anyone ever have this happen? The car has a 455 motor, MSD 6AL Ignition, but is basically stock otherwise.
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Post by bubbasz1 on Dec 11, 2008 11:56:22 GMT -5
Electrical problems are so much fun, but on an oldie there not too bad. First take your negative cable off and place a voltmeter between the negative terminal and negative battery cable. If the needle swings the wrong way reverse it on the cables so it reads correctly. If you have a drain it will read something, start unplugging things. I usually start with the fuse box, pull one fuse at a time and see if your draw disappears. If not go on to things you might have added, and so on until you find the culprit that's draining your battery.
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Post by nickthefish on Dec 11, 2008 12:15:09 GMT -5
Does it still have a voltage regulator on the firewall? Mine (now bud442's) was stuck on and drained the battery. With a charged battery and the key off disconnect it and reconnect it, if you hear a click with the key off than chances are that's the problem.
Nick
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Post by RIP OLDS on Dec 11, 2008 12:48:36 GMT -5
Yes, I have the voltage regulator on the firewall. Thanks for the info.
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Post by RIP OLDS on Dec 13, 2008 17:25:59 GMT -5
I charged my battery and found what is draining the battery. The rear sail panel courtesy lamps remain "glowing" when the car is off and doors are closed. Because they are just "glowing" I never noticed it. The lights are not fully on like when the door is open, but they just have a slight glow. If I turn the ignition switch to the "ACC" or "RUN" positions, the lights go off (door closed of course), so they only remain glowing with doors closed, and ignition off. There is 0.5 Amps of leakage when placing a current meter between the neg. battery terminal and the neg. battery cable.
Would the culprit be as simple as one of the door switches, or could it be something else? I'm not sure if a bad door switch would let through partial power.
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Post by bubbasz1 on Dec 13, 2008 20:26:19 GMT -5
Well, you can unplug the switch's for the dome light and see what happens, seems weird that the ignition switch would have anything to do with them, I looked on the electrical diagram in my chassis service manual and there's a lot of little colored wires going everywhere but I didn't see where the ignition switch was involved with the dome lights. But frankly the eyes of the service boys in 65 must of been good because the complete electrical schematic is on one page so following it is a chore. On another note the chassis service manual is a really good book, I mean it's better than the assembly manual for how wires and vacuum lines are routed, so if anybody finds one on Ebay it's a good one to have. Front of the inside cover, Cost $3.00. Yikes, can't even get a copy made for that. If you still have issues keep us informed, I have an wiring harness downstairs somewhere, I could dig it out if I have to.
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Post by S Bielski on Mar 9, 2009 21:43:11 GMT -5
Did you install a single wire alternator in this car? If you did I have a possible solution to your problem.
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Post by RIP OLDS on Mar 22, 2009 22:08:32 GMT -5
I don't have the single wire alternator. It has 4 wires.
I have yet to find the problem, but I have not really tried due to the cold weather.
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