NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lillwr · 09-08-2010, 04:12 PM

I'm so angry, I'm about to just post the truck on CL and wipe my hands clean of it. I've only had it for about a month and a half now and already been through 2 batteries. If the truck sits over a weekend as it always does, the batt dies. I have NO accessories hooked up. No radio, dome light, nothing plugged into the lighter thing, NOTHING! Why is my tuck eating batteries?

It's just a lil I6 69 C10

Hottrucks · 09-08-2010, 04:16 PM

check the voltage regulator...I had the same issue if you unplug the back of the alt listen for an spark........replce the reg and you should be good

Kerry P · 09-08-2010, 04:20 PM

In addition to a something draining the battery, on over charging condition will kill batteries.

Kerry P

lillwr · 09-08-2010, 04:27 PM

Alright Ill check the voltage regulator before it starts raining on me. So if it sparks it needs replacing is what you're saying right?

Hottrucks · 09-08-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillwr

Alright Ill check the voltage regulator before it starts raining on me. So if it sparks it needs replacing is what you're saying right?

yep with it off.....

Wrenchbender Ret · 09-08-2010, 04:49 PM

Take the main feed wire (10-12 gauge red) off the back of the alt. Touch it to the term & watch for a spark. If you get a spark you have a shorted diode in the alt. There is nothing wrong with your bat. Something is draining it down over night. This is the most common cause. Don't get discouraged. These trucks are great fun & learning experience. You have a bunch of knowledgable people on this website willing to help you.

rusty baker · 09-08-2010, 04:52 PM

On my truck, the brake light switch was sticking. It can be something really simple.

cam.man67 · 09-08-2010, 04:27 PM

Def. check the voltage reg. Had the same thing happen on my Jeep.

lillwr · 09-08-2010, 05:03 PM

I charged the batt for about 15 mins and then hooked it back up. I disconnected the v. reg. and got nothing when I hooked it back up. Then I started the truck and let it idle for a bit and shut it off. I disconnected the v. reg. again and this time when I plugged it back in I heard a very faint spark (didn't see one). I searched and came up with this Please tell me it's the cheaper of the 2 that I need so my ol' lady doesn't flip on me

jay6891 · 09-08-2010, 05:15 PM

Use the top one listed if money is tight and the wife is looking. IMO. I have an extra but it would probably cost about the same to ship. But before throwing parts at it. I would have key off. And pull each fuse out one at a time looking for sparks. If you find one. That circuit is the one pulling your battery down. Good luck

lillwr · 09-08-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6891

I would have key off. And pull each fuse out one at a time looking for sparks. If you find one. That circuit is the one pulling your battery down. Good luck

Wow, don't know why I didn't think of that earlier. Maybe due to the excessive heat and anger. Well it started pouring as it always does in the Sunshine State so I'll have to wait till it lets up to do this test. Thanks, to you and everyone else who responded. I'll post my update

lil hoodlum · 09-08-2010, 06:00 PM

I know this is not a fix but you can simply unhook the negative cable from the battery when not in use to save your battery.

I had a few electrical issues with my truck as well. I know it can be very frustrating to find a dead battery and keep replacing them. I finally solved all of my electrical problems with an aftermarket wiring harness.

Don't give up! Hang in there! You'll get it fixed!

Good luck,

Keith

**68 Stepside** · 09-08-2010, 06:54 PM

Remove your negative battery cable, place a test light between the end of the test light and the battery terminal. If the light is on with the key off, remove fuses until the test light goes out. That's the first step. Once you find the draw (when the light goes out), you can trace that circuit down to pinpoint the problem.

Legolas894 · 09-11-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 Stepside

Remove your negative battery cable, place a test light between the end of the test light and the battery terminal. If the light is on with the key off, remove fuses until the test light goes out. That's the first step. Once you find the draw (when the light goes out), you can trace that circuit down to pinpoint the problem.

This has always worked for me and it doesn't take long. In the meantime, leave the negative cable off overnight.

**68 Stepside** · 09-08-2010, 06:56 PM

Forgot to mention....if you don't have a test light, use a volt meter and pull fuses until your draw goes to 0.

Hottrucks · 09-08-2010, 07:19 PM

don't laugh but the last one got smoked when I was doing some exhaust work?? yep I was welding some pipes and had the ground on one tail pipe and reached across to weld the other hanger...I can go into a long winded expination but that was the cause...

Street Lethal '72 · 09-08-2010, 07:24 PM

The 72 I just bought also has this problem.. to add to the other 2000 issues. Except this one drains in about an hour.. it has all kinds of rigged up air bag solenoids, and a crappy wiring job on the radio the PO put in.. its all coming out.

Hope you get yours working!

lillwr · 09-08-2010, 07:49 PM

Well the rain never stopped before the sun went down so I didn't get to do anything other than what I already posted. I did get that lil spark from the voltage reg though so I'm def gonna replace that

67gmcstepside · 09-08-2010, 08:02 PM

I have used 68 Stepside's trouble shooting method more then once on my camaro builds. Electical issues are always hard to identify. If all else fails take 1 fuse out every weekend until the drain doesn't happen. Then your in the ball park with the circuit thats shorting to grd.

**Stocker** · 09-08-2010, 08:25 PM

Was going to suggest the test light (or VOM) method but 68 Stepside beat me to it. This is a quick, easy, simple way to identify which circuit is draining the battery -- a bit more reliable imo than looking for a spark, which also works but I would prefer it to be a last resort.

jay6891 · 09-08-2010, 08:57 PM

If funds are available, I would also suggest converting/upgrading to a internal regulated alternator. Pretty easily done, and you get rid of the old reg and alt. Think I used one off a Mid eightys Camaro. Been a while ago.
Here is a link for some directions on how to do.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=119379

mcbassin · 09-12-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay6891

If funds are available, I would also suggest converting/upgrading to a internal regulated alternator. Pretty easily done, and you get rid of the old reg and alt. Think I used one off a Mid eightys Camaro. Been a while ago.
Here is a link for some directions on how to do.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=119379

I agree with this, get rid of the old school regulator and alternator.

71swb4x4 · 09-08-2010, 09:22 PM

Definitely consider the internally regulated alternator. Last time I went to a pick-n-pull and got an alternator for dirt cheap. Worked like a charm.

Todd Hepler · 09-08-2010, 09:44 PM

+1 on the alternator upgrade.

I used a CS144 140 amp I scavenged at a local pull-a-part for $15. I liked it so much I put one on my 67 Fury.

Look for these cars, it came stock in all of 'em:

(1996-94) Buick Roadmaster 5.7L*
(1996-93) Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (RWD) 5.7L*
(1996-93) Chevrolet Caprice 4.3L, 5.7L*
(1996-95) Chevrolet Impala 5.7L*
(1995-92) Chevrolet Lumina APV Van 3.8L*
(1995-92) Oldsmobile Silhouette 3.8L*
(1995-92) Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L*

Good luck with the electrical issue - it should be easy to troubleshoot with the wealth of knowledge here!

-Todd

bandit01ws6 · 09-11-2010, 03:54 PM

I just played the draw game on a friends 80 k10 who ever had put in the harness grounded everything to the core support. nothing to block or frame then they put in another battery to give it enough power to start. I changed 2 of the cables to go to block and frame from negitive battery post and took the battery that was trash out and no more problems.

09-08-2010, 04:12 PM	#1
lillwr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 41	NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated I'm so angry, I'm about to just post the truck on CL and wipe my hands clean of it. I've only had it for about a month and a half now and already been through 2 batteries. If the truck sits over a weekend as it always does, the batt dies. I have NO accessories hooked up. No radio, dome light, nothing plugged into the lighter thing, NOTHING! Why is my tuck eating batteries? It's just a lil I6 69 C10 __________________

09-08-2010, 04:16 PM	#2
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated check the voltage regulator...I had the same issue if you unplug the back of the alt listen for an spark........replce the reg and you should be good

09-08-2010, 04:20 PM	#3
Kerry P Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Harrison Arkansas Posts: 164	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated In addition to a something draining the battery, on over charging condition will kill batteries. Kerry P

09-08-2010, 04:27 PM	#4
lillwr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 41	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Alright Ill check the voltage regulator before it starts raining on me. So if it sparks it needs replacing is what you're saying right? __________________

09-08-2010, 04:49 PM	#6
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,220	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Take the main feed wire (10-12 gauge red) off the back of the alt. Touch it to the term & watch for a spark. If you get a spark you have a shorted diode in the alt. There is nothing wrong with your bat. Something is draining it down over night. This is the most common cause. Don't get discouraged. These trucks are great fun & learning experience. You have a bunch of knowledgable people on this website willing to help you.

09-08-2010, 04:52 PM	#7
rusty baker '70 C-10 Primer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nevada,missouri Posts: 117	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated On my truck, the brake light switch was sticking. It can be something really simple. __________________ "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein

09-08-2010, 04:27 PM	#8
cam.man67 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jefferson, MD Posts: 2,397	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Def. check the voltage reg. Had the same thing happen on my Jeep. __________________ '68 Dodge Dart 270, 225, 904, 2.76--"Lucy" 1996 Gmc 1500 Z71, 350, 4l60e, 3.73s 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande 2.5, AX5, 4.10s 1989 Toyota Pickup 22re, auto, 3.73

09-08-2010, 05:03 PM	#9
lillwr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 41	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated I charged the batt for about 15 mins and then hooked it back up. I disconnected the v. reg. and got nothing when I hooked it back up. Then I started the truck and let it idle for a bit and shut it off. I disconnected the v. reg. again and this time when I plugged it back in I heard a very faint spark (didn't see one). I searched and came up with this Please tell me it's the cheaper of the 2 that I need so my ol' lady doesn't flip on me __________________

09-08-2010, 05:15 PM	#10
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Use the top one listed if money is tight and the wife is looking. IMO. I have an extra but it would probably cost about the same to ship. But before throwing parts at it. I would have key off. And pull each fuse out one at a time looking for sparks. If you find one. That circuit is the one pulling your battery down. Good luck __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit. Last edited by jay6891; 09-08-2010 at 05:18 PM. Reason: always more to say.

09-08-2010, 06:00 PM	#12
lil hoodlum Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 1,724	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated I know this is not a fix but you can simply unhook the negative cable from the battery when not in use to save your battery. I had a few electrical issues with my truck as well. I know it can be very frustrating to find a dead battery and keep replacing them. I finally solved all of my electrical problems with an aftermarket wiring harness. Don't give up! Hang in there! You'll get it fixed! Good luck, Keith

09-08-2010, 06:54 PM	#13
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Remove your negative battery cable, place a test light between the end of the test light and the battery terminal. If the light is on with the key off, remove fuses until the test light goes out. That's the first step. Once you find the draw (when the light goes out), you can trace that circuit down to pinpoint the problem. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

09-08-2010, 06:56 PM	#15
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Forgot to mention....if you don't have a test light, use a volt meter and pull fuses until your draw goes to 0. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

09-08-2010, 07:19 PM	#16
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated don't laugh but the last one got smoked when I was doing some exhaust work?? yep I was welding some pipes and had the ground on one tail pipe and reached across to weld the other hanger...I can go into a long winded expination but that was the cause...

09-08-2010, 07:24 PM	#17
Street Lethal '72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 46	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated The 72 I just bought also has this problem.. to add to the other 2000 issues. Except this one drains in about an hour.. it has all kinds of rigged up air bag solenoids, and a crappy wiring job on the radio the PO put in.. its all coming out. Hope you get yours working!

09-08-2010, 07:49 PM	#18
lillwr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 41	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Well the rain never stopped before the sun went down so I didn't get to do anything other than what I already posted. I did get that lil spark from the voltage reg though so I'm def gonna replace that __________________



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09-08-2010, 08:02 PM	#19
67gmcstepside Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: jackson Posts: 676	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated I have used 68 Stepside's trouble shooting method more then once on my camaro builds. Electical issues are always hard to identify. If all else fails take 1 fuse out every weekend until the drain doesn't happen. Then your in the ball park with the circuit thats shorting to grd.

09-08-2010, 08:25 PM	#20
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,648	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Was going to suggest the test light (or VOM) method but 68 Stepside beat me to it. This is a quick, easy, simple way to identify which circuit is draining the battery -- a bit more reliable imo than looking for a spark, which also works but I would prefer it to be a last resort. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

09-08-2010, 08:57 PM	#21
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated If funds are available, I would also suggest converting/upgrading to a internal regulated alternator. Pretty easily done, and you get rid of the old reg and alt. Think I used one off a Mid eightys Camaro. Been a while ago. Here is a link for some directions on how to do. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=119379 __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit. Last edited by jay6891; 09-08-2010 at 09:04 PM.

09-08-2010, 09:22 PM	#23
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated Definitely consider the internally regulated alternator. Last time I went to a pick-n-pull and got an alternator for dirt cheap. Worked like a charm. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-08-2010, 09:44 PM	#24
Todd Hepler Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Marietta Ga Posts: 74	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated +1 on the alternator upgrade. I used a CS144 140 amp I scavenged at a local pull-a-part for $15. I liked it so much I put one on my 67 Fury. Look for these cars, it came stock in all of 'em: (1996-94) Buick Roadmaster 5.7L* (1996-93) Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (RWD) 5.7L* (1996-93) Chevrolet Caprice 4.3L, 5.7L* (1996-95) Chevrolet Impala 5.7L* (1995-92) Chevrolet Lumina APV Van 3.8L* (1995-92) Oldsmobile Silhouette 3.8L* (1995-92) Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L* Good luck with the electrical issue - it should be easy to troubleshoot with the wealth of knowledge here! -Todd Last edited by Todd Hepler; 09-08-2010 at 09:45 PM.

09-11-2010, 03:54 PM	#25
bandit01ws6 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft.Worth Texas Posts: 40	Re: NEED HELP! I'm beyond aggravated I just played the draw game on a friends 80 k10 who ever had put in the harness grounded everything to the core support. nothing to block or frame then they put in another battery to give it enough power to start. I changed 2 of the cables to go to block and frame from negitive battery post and took the battery that was trash out and no more problems.

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