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Where would you start-elec problem #494647
10/11/09 11:51 PM
10/11/09 11:51 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
Darius Offline OP
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Darius  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
I replaced my battery because I kenew the old one to be wearing out. It was completely dead one day so I bought a new one. I went on one cruise the day after installing the new one, appx 3 weeks ago, and today the new battery is completely dead.
What is a logical trouble shoot on this type issue?
No switches were left on, that was the first thing I checked.
Car is a 69 Dart GTS 340 not any elec mods other than ignition and an electric choke.


Driving modern convenience in classic beauty
Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: Darius] #494648
10/12/09 12:18 AM
10/12/09 12:18 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,861
Riverside, Ca
R70RUNNER Offline
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Riverside, Ca
either not charging correctly or a short? did you have the alt checked? (take it to Autozone for a free check) if you suspect you have a short? remove neg cable, hook a volt meter between the cable end a the batt terminal. MAKE SURE key off doors closed all lights off...car should be just about elect dead

If you show volt draw, start pulling fuses one by one


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Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: R70RUNNER] #494649
10/12/09 12:48 AM
10/12/09 12:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
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Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
With your VOM on "volts" check the charging voltage at a fast idle at the battery and at the alt & as R70runner said take off either batt cable & set your VOM on "amps" & hook it inline between the cable end and the batt post. With everything off should be no draw, then switch to milli amps & should be no draw. Start on the amps scale then move to milliamps if the amps scale shows zero.

Last edited by RapidRobert; 10/12/09 12:49 AM.

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Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: RapidRobert] #494650
10/12/09 08:23 AM
10/12/09 08:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
Darius Offline OP
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Darius  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
Thanks guys, I will try as suggested and see what I come up with.


Driving modern convenience in classic beauty
Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: R70RUNNER] #494651
10/12/09 08:23 AM
10/12/09 08:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 531
Virginia
J
JimG Offline
mopar
JimG  Offline
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Posts: 531
Virginia
Like R70Runner said, either the battery is not being charged, or something is pulling it down while the car is parked. You must determine which.

And, like Rapid said, if you determine that something is pulling the battery down (by using an ammeter inserted in series with the battery) I would pull the fuses one at a time and observe the meter to see if the amp draw drops to zero. Also remember to check any added electrical devices by pulling their fuses as well.

Do you have an aftermarket sound system? They can be culprits here, as they draw a small amount of current even when switched off.

Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: JimG] #494652
10/12/09 09:14 AM
10/12/09 09:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,622
Millinocket, Maine
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JonC Offline
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JonC  Offline
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Millinocket, Maine
This happened to me in my daily driver, found out it was the Sirius unit plugged into the lighter socket, BIG draw.

Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: Darius] #494653
10/12/09 10:25 AM
10/12/09 10:25 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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denfireguy Offline
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Colorado
Quote:

I replaced my battery because I kenew the old one to be wearing out. It was completely dead one day so I bought a new one. I went on one cruise the day after installing the new one, appx 3 weeks ago, and today the new battery is completely dead.
What is a logical trouble shoot on this type issue?
No switches were left on, that was the first thing I checked.
Car is a 69 Dart GTS 340 not any elec mods other than ignition and an electric choke.



Does your car have a clock? The old mechanical wind clocks drew enough to kill a battery after a three weeks of inactivity.
Craig


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Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: denfireguy] #494654
10/12/09 10:40 AM
10/12/09 10:40 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
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RodStRace  Offline
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Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
All good stuff here, but to answer your question in the title, ALWAYS start with a fully charged battery in good condition. Anything else will give you bad results to your testing.
I'd put money on a draw causing the battery to go dead, but check charging too, as others have mentioned.

Re: Where would you start-elec problem [Re: RodStRace] #494655
10/12/09 07:59 PM
10/12/09 07:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
Darius Offline OP
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Darius  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,712
Sacramento, Ca
I am thinking there is a draw somewhere. It was a brand new battery and I started the car maybe 4 times with it in two days, then it sat in the garage for about 3 weeks before I went to start it again.There are NO aftermarket electrical items installed on this car other than electronic ignition and an electric choke on the carb. I'm thinking it may be a switch sticking somewhere like a brake light or interior trunk light maybe since I didn't notice the brake lights on and I walk around the back of the car to lock the garage.
I will try the meter/check fuse method first and see what happens.......once I take the battery and get it fully charged again.


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