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battery draining. Can't find the draw #3075560
09/08/22 05:03 PM
09/08/22 05:03 PM
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Canada
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demon Offline OP
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Working on a 78 Chrysler LeBaron. It's a low mileage car, absolutely stock and untouched, other than it has had an electronic ignition conversion to eliminate the Lean burn system.
So the issue is:
The battery will go dead in a day or so.

Brand new battery.

With the key off, doors and trunk closed, and checked to make sure no lights are on.
I pulled off the negative cable, and put a test light between the negative battery post, and the negative cable. The test light is bright.
I then pulled every fuse out one by one, and no change. Test light still on.
Disconnected various items such as alternator, electronic control box, wiper motor, power seat, and still no change.
Anyone have an idea as to what is drawing power?

Last edited by demon; 09/08/22 05:05 PM.
Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075562
09/08/22 05:07 PM
09/08/22 05:07 PM
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nowhere
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Sniper Offline
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Years ago I had a similar issue. Turns out I put new trunk weatherstripping on and it held the trunk lid up enough to allow the light to remain on. Unless you get in the trunk and have someone shut it it's real hard to tell. I guess you could pull teh bulb and see if the battery drains.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: Sniper] #3075574
09/08/22 05:58 PM
09/08/22 05:58 PM
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Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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Check the dome light and the glove box light and the clock if equiped.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: Sniper] #3075576
09/08/22 06:24 PM
09/08/22 06:24 PM
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Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag Offline
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Originally Posted by Sniper
Years ago I had a similar issue. Turns out I put new trunk weatherstripping on and it held the trunk lid up enough to allow the light to remain on. Unless you get in the trunk and have someone shut it it's real hard to tell. I guess you could pull teh bulb and see if the battery drains.



I have a 64 Falcon that has trunk light with a "mercury" type switch - switch was bad and would keep light on . . . would try above for sure

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: a12rag] #3075577
09/08/22 06:32 PM
09/08/22 06:32 PM
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Posts: 1,888
Harriman NY
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71GTX471 Offline
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Disconnect the alt.leads & see it could be shorted.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075591
09/08/22 07:05 PM
09/08/22 07:05 PM
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So Cal
Sinitro Offline
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Just a suggestion...
Pop off each bulkhead connector, 1 by 1....
See if the light goes OFF..
This may point U in the right direction..

Just my $0.02.... wink

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: 71GTX471] #3075594
09/08/22 07:31 PM
09/08/22 07:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
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Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
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Originally Posted by 71GTX471
Disconnect the alt.leads & see it could be shorted.
This. My '89 Diplomat fought me with this and it was the alternator.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: larrymopar360] #3075621
09/08/22 08:49 PM
09/08/22 08:49 PM
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UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Read ....He has disconnected the alternator.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: NITROUSN] #3075626
09/08/22 09:05 PM
09/08/22 09:05 PM
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Harriman NY
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71GTX471 Offline
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Originally Posted by NITROUSN
Read ....He has disconnected the alternator.


My bad missed that.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: NITROUSN] #3075628
09/08/22 09:08 PM
09/08/22 09:08 PM
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Might be worth checking the fusible links in the harness.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075649
09/08/22 09:58 PM
09/08/22 09:58 PM
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One over looked item is the key light and relay. Something should be warm. What is the history and when did this start? Get it in a dark garage or go out at late night when it is very dark and look for something lit.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: NITROUSN] #3075655
09/08/22 10:27 PM
09/08/22 10:27 PM
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Southeast Pa.
SALEM1912 Offline
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Converted ignition? Been a while but doesn't that have a ballast hook in? Where is that getting it's power?

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075657
09/08/22 10:36 PM
09/08/22 10:36 PM
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Omaha Ne
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TJP Offline
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I had one years ago on 63? T bird. Couldn't find it. It had the older analog clock that had points. When the clock spring needed to wound the points would close, wind the spring and the points would open. OK but this clock wasn't working so I blew by it. After chasing my tail for a few hours a buddy suggested disconnecting the clock. I said why? it's not working whistling
Well lo and behold the points were stuck shut, which overwound the spring until it broke, so the clock motor was running all the time. But you couldn't hear it and I ASSumed it was not the issue.
might try the bulkheads as suggested as it might narrow it down. I would start with the wiper motor harness.
It has to be something that is hot all the time and not fused by the fuse box wink
A schematic would be very helpful as well
Keep us posted wink

Last edited by TJP; 09/09/22 09:26 PM.
Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: TJP] #3075661
09/08/22 10:43 PM
09/08/22 10:43 PM
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Posts: 10,665
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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Trying to shotgun electrical problems usually never ends well. Get a wiring diagram for your car. Based on that, start removing components one by one until the problem is found. I've been through this more than once and this typically has worked best for me.


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075667
09/08/22 11:28 PM
09/08/22 11:28 PM
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Phila
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Originally Posted by demon
Working on a 78 Chrysler LeBaron. It's a low mileage car, absolutely stock and untouched, other than it has had an electronic ignition conversion to eliminate the Lean burn system.
So the issue is:
The battery will go dead in a day or so.

Brand new battery.

With the key off, doors and trunk closed, and checked to make sure no lights are on.
I pulled off the negative cable, and put a test light between the negative battery post, and the negative cable. The test light is bright.
I then pulled every fuse out one by one, and no change. Test light still on.
Disconnected various items such as alternator, electronic control box, wiper motor, power seat, and still no change.
Anyone have an idea as to what is drawing power?


Some circuits are not fused: HL,park,etc. Focus on those type circuits.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: PhillyRag] #3075685
09/09/22 02:05 AM
09/09/22 02:05 AM
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Fulton County, PA
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CMcAllister Offline
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Just have to keep disconnecting stuff until it disappears. Relays, Connections. As stated, firewall connections to try to isolate it.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: 6PakBee] #3075687
09/09/22 03:46 AM
09/09/22 03:46 AM
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541 slobovia
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Originally Posted by 6PakBee
Trying to shotgun electrical problems usually never ends well. Get a wiring diagram for your car. Based on that, start removing components one by one until the problem is found. I've been through this more than once and this typically has worked best for me.

This
This
THIS
It helps you establish a map so you can isolate and work each circuit rather than get lost and chase your tail. You will be surprised at what else you may find that was goofed up by a prior owner as well.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: mopars4ever] #3075694
09/09/22 07:23 AM
09/09/22 07:23 AM
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Andrewh Offline
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https://mymopar.com/wiring/
doesn't go that new, but maybe 75 is close enough. cordoba would be similar.

Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: demon] #3075706
09/09/22 08:41 AM
09/09/22 08:41 AM
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Posts: 1,597
westerly, ri. usa
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440lebaron Offline
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there is a relay (3 wires) for the alternator, under passenger fender, has battery voltage at all times, unplug that


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Re: battery draining. Can't find the draw [Re: 440lebaron] #3075739
09/09/22 10:18 AM
09/09/22 10:18 AM
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Canada
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demon Offline OP
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Originally Posted by 440lebaron
there is a relay (3 wires) for the alternator, under passenger fender, has battery voltage at all times, unplug that


I'll check that. Thanks for everyone's input.
The owner bought the car recently from an estate, so he doesn't know much about it. The car is very low mileage and in excellent untouched condition.
The digital clock does not function though, so I do wonder if that is possibly drawing power

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