Battery Drain?

Redcoupe864+3 · 07-04-05, 04:35 PM

Hadn't started my '86 in about 2 weeks. Went out to move it the other day. Turned the key--nothing. No IP lights, no nothing. Battery's brand new, and the car started & ran flawlessly the last time. Thoughts, anyone? Thanks!

Roadster Guy · 07-04-05, 06:14 PM

Maybe something was left on (check carefully) and it drained the battery or maybe the alternator is simply not charging. Have you added any recent accessories? You may have something (aftermarket alarm perhaps or sound system) that very very slowly drains the battery and after two weeks the battery is dead. A test on the battery with an amp meter (think they are called that) will indicate how much is being drained. If this is the first time the car has sat for two weeks, then the problem may not be new. If the car previously however, was able to sit for weeks on end without battery problems, then something has changed to cause the problem.

Dead batteries in Corvettes that have sat for two weeks are more common than you might think! Go to the "Search" word near the top of this page on the blue toolbar and type in "battery drain" and have a look at the pages and pages of helpful threads that discuss this. Also try typing in "dead batteries" if you really want lots of reading...... I think you will find a number of ideas to explore. Good luck.
RG

Redcoupe864+3 · 07-04-05, 09:21 PM

Thanks, Roadster. Yeah, seems more common than I thought. Could be time for a thorough check of the electrics, as I think about it..

vetteboy86 · 07-04-05, 10:02 PM

Take the battery terminals off. Charge your battery to a full charge. Re connect your terminals. Unhook your hood lights. Then take a meter or a current tester, and put them inline with one of the battery terminals. You should see a measurement which would indicate a current that was used. If you do not see any current, then there is not battery drain.

If you find a battery drain, the easiest way to troubleshoot it is by taking out one fuse at a time until you find there is no more drain. Once you have it narrowed down to a few circuits you can look closer.

Craig

tonylong · 07-04-05, 10:10 PM

I had a similar problem with my '89.
When I was working on the car in my garage for several days, I disconnected the underhood lights as I was leaving the hood up the whole time.
I forgot to reconnect them when I finished my work.
I have noticed the battery doesn't drain in a week or two anymore.
Try unplugging the underhood's and see if that helps.
My underhood light connector's were near each headlight, just follow the wires from each underhood.
HTH LOL