yet another problem

[El Pajarito]

so the wagon is running now and I've only been able to drive it the 3 blocks to my work (still working the bugs out of it) It has a new battery, cables, solinoid, regulator, alt, starter, belts. I have tested the battery and the charging system at work and they all test good. I even did the draw test on the battery wiith a test light and showed no drain going on yet the battery still goes dead on me. Is they're something I'm missing??

 

[350kmileford]

Does it have a good ground? Are all the connections on the battery terminals definitely secure?

 

[wsa111]

Disconnect the negitive terminal. If the battery goes dead its the battery, if it is not dead after sitting overnight then you have a draw on the system.

 

[El Pajarito]

I work at a local carquest and there are 3 of us trying to fiqure this one out. I have quadtrupel checked everything and have even replaced new parts (because new parts can be bad) including the battery and it's still happening...very frustrating

 

[ludwig]

Disconnect the neg terminal first before you spend any more money. That will tell you if you have a short that drains it down.

 

[Anonymous]

Wife's car had a similar problem, only worse... the battery would get weak, but not dead. The garage said everything tested good and there was a draw somewhere. The auto electric shop said everything was good but the starter was bad, drawing too much current.

I put jumpers from my truck on the battery and it started right up... so it wasn't the starter.

I spent a week checking it and finally noticed the idiot light would sometimes not come on when the key was turned on. (Alternator needs this feed to energize the field coil.) I checked the idiot light by removing the plug at the alternator and grounding the line (don't ground the wrong one!), it was OK.

So I figured the alternator field coil was intermittently open... replaced the alternator, and haven't had the problem since.

Also, if you have a 3-wire alternator and the idiot light burns out, the alternator won't charge the battery.

Of course it might be something else, too. Good luck and let us know.

 

[mustangsilly]

I would still check the starter. Bad armature bushings can cause a high draw, but when you jump it, the extra amperage gets it cranking.

Also, with the ignition off, try pull the negative cable at the engine block and just barely touch it to ground. If something is causing a draw, there will be a spark. It might be very weak, so it's best to check it in the dark.

 

[addo]

I think we should proffer a welcome to a new member posting here straight away - coupster. Nearly snuck under the radar!

Cheers, Adam.

 

[El Pajarito]

so I replaced everything again..rechecked all the wiring, and grounds and added a new pigtal for the regulator. Starts up fine, still runs if you pull off the pos cable....but now my alt light is staying on. will know in the morning if its still draining...any more clues...why the light now???

 

[aahsac]

Not to go "Bort" on you but it seems you have done everything except what you were advised to do. Did you leave the battery disconnected overnite and was it dead (or not) the next morning?

 

[deebee53]

What your saying is happening cannot happen. Either the battery is bad, there is a draw on it, or the car isn't charging.

If you have not already, load test the battery. Carquest should have the proper equipment to do that. If it tests ok, check the charging volts when the engine is running (do this with everything off, then again with the high beams, radio, and heater fan on). Make sure it is properly charging.

If both of these check out ok, there is a draw somewhere. You will need a multimeter, not a test light.

Report back after you have properly tested these things. If there is a draw, I can walk you through the proper steps to take to isolate where it is.

 

[Anonymous]

I think we should proffer a welcome to a new member posting here straight away - coupster. Nearly snuck under the radar!
Cheers, Adam.

Thanks Adam, and hi everyone.
Lot of good suggestions here, I think they cover all possiblities. Good luck, el Pajarito.

 

[El Pajarito]

There is a draw...now trying to find out where

 

[El Pajarito]

Thanks for the help everyone...found the problem...it was a bad pigtail connection at the voltage regulator. It still had the orig. heavy rubber one. I replace it and everything works great.