Help - Battery Killer!

[ernie d]

Hi guys, I need some help. Brand new battery installed last week, today it's dead as can be. No lights left on from what I can see.

However, i checked with digital ammeter (with everything off) to see if there was any drain on the battery. SOB, there is a 3.65 Amp load with nothing on.........some kinda short I guess. Pulled fuses out one at a time to see if I could locate shorted circuit, but even with all fuses out, there is still this 3.65 amp load on battery.

Anybody have any ideas on what could be at fault here? I really appreciate any help on this one!

 

[corvetjerryd]

Hey Ernie,
The only other things I can think of on a 69 that don't go thru the fuse block are headlights and the starter solenoid.GM Solenoids have been known to stick. Try disconecting the 12v. lead on the solenoid. If everything there checks out you might start pulling wires to headlights and switch. Electrical problems are a pain............ Good luck

 

[dsagers]

Had an alternator going bad once which drained the battery.

 

[ChuckG]

Check the wiper service over-ride switch...the round gnurled knob between the headlight and wiper door vacuum over-ride's. If you left it in the "ON" position, that will cause a huge drain. Don't have a wiring diagram in front of me....not sure how it's fused, etc. Chuck

 

[MidShark]

If the wiper over-ride is "on", that may also be the cause of your wipers not working, per your other thread.

Dick

 

[ernie d]

Hey I wonder if Corvette Jerry D is onto something with the headlights.........since they don't go through the fuse block.

The reason this sounds possible is because the car also has lost the interior lights (don't come on when the headlights are on). Was thinking maybe the headlight switch was bad, or there was a short in the headlight circuit.

Sound like this makes sense? If so, recommendations on best way to check this out?

THANKS GUYS! :crazy

 

[corvetjerryd]

Hey Ernie, No dome lights..??? I just fixed a 67 GTO that had a problem running the battery down because of a door switch shorting out when the door was closed. I had to replace the door switch.
The only way I know to check out the headlight switch is to take the dash pad off and unplug the switch from the top.
Then take another voltage reading on the battery. make sure to disable the dome lights while the doors are open so you,re not getting any draw from them. Good luck