charging system gremlins on Frankenstein - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigblock73 · 01-12-2003, 02:05 AM

There is something wrong with the charging system on the 76. There seems to be a slow drain on the battery, I went out tonight to start the truck and it barely wants to crank, the headlights are dim, and after a couple tries it is completely dead. I have a new battery and alternator in it, what else could it be? The radio in it has a digital clock on it that is always on (even though the radio isn't, kinda like in stand-by mode), could that be it? Also, the fan switch is broken off so the PO wired in a toggle switch to turn it off and on...if it is in the "on" position could that be causing it even though the truck is off?

TIA for any help!!

-Jeff

Prerunner1982 · 01-12-2003, 03:49 AM

i have the same problem, something is drawing off my battery, i think it was mike that suggested this.. if it wasnt im sorry i dont remember who did..

take a test light or multimeter and hook it between the battery and the negative batt cable, then start pulling fuses until the light goes out, then you know the circuit the draw is on, you atleast narrowed it down. then follow the schematic of that circuit checking all wires and connections..

pkbinplano · 01-12-2003, 09:47 AM

Don't rule out a bad battery of alternator just because they are new. Have them checked. Seen it too many times.

79BIG10 · 01-12-2003, 06:01 PM

Maybe electric choke hooked up to the constant power source?

85Silverado · 01-13-2003, 12:40 PM

I had a radio that did that too (stay lit up even tho the car was off) and it turned out to be what was draining the battery over night and sometimes quicker...but the car was stick so I would just get it rolling and pop the clutch if it was dead. The electric choke could be the prob too...check to see if it's wide open when you know the truck is cold to rule it out.

BigRed · 01-13-2003, 12:52 PM

The radio shouldn't really drain it that bad. I would think it's something along the line of the electric choke or some accessory wired into a non-ignition circuit.

bigblock73 · 01-14-2003, 10:05 AM

I decided to pull the fuse on the radio and let it sit a few days to see if that was the probelm, well after pulling the radio fuse the radio still worked!! So I unhooked the radio and two days later the truck starts right up...no more problems. It sounds like the radio was hooked up to a constant power source!

Thanks for all the help fellas!

-Jeff

01-12-2003, 02:05 AM	#1
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	charging system gremlins on Frankenstein There is something wrong with the charging system on the 76. There seems to be a slow drain on the battery, I went out tonight to start the truck and it barely wants to crank, the headlights are dim, and after a couple tries it is completely dead. I have a new battery and alternator in it, what else could it be? The radio in it has a digital clock on it that is always on (even though the radio isn't, kinda like in stand-by mode), could that be it? Also, the fan switch is broken off so the PO wired in a toggle switch to turn it off and on...if it is in the "on" position could that be causing it even though the truck is off? TIA for any help!! -Jeff Last edited by bigblock73; 01-12-2003 at 02:12 AM.

01-12-2003, 03:49 AM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	i have the same problem, something is drawing off my battery, i think it was mike that suggested this.. if it wasnt im sorry i dont remember who did.. take a test light or multimeter and hook it between the battery and the negative batt cable, then start pulling fuses until the light goes out, then you know the circuit the draw is on, you atleast narrowed it down. then follow the schematic of that circuit checking all wires and connections.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

01-12-2003, 09:47 AM	#3
pkbinplano pkbinplano Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 370	Don't rule out a bad battery of alternator just because they are new. Have them checked. Seen it too many times. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...7496&members=1 84 chevy silverado aka The Bananna Boat

01-12-2003, 06:01 PM	#4
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Maybe electric choke hooked up to the constant power source? __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

01-13-2003, 12:40 PM	#5
85Silverado Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 198	I had a radio that did that too (stay lit up even tho the car was off) and it turned out to be what was draining the battery over night and sometimes quicker...but the car was stick so I would just get it rolling and pop the clutch if it was dead. The electric choke could be the prob too...check to see if it's wide open when you know the truck is cold to rule it out. __________________ Paul D. '78 C20 Scottsdale 350ci 3 speed with granny gear 14 bolt rearend My trucks are "Car-Guy safe".......which pretty much means death trap in the hands of a normal civilian.

01-13-2003, 12:52 PM	#6
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	The radio shouldn't really drain it that bad. I would think it's something along the line of the electric choke or some accessory wired into a non-ignition circuit. __________________ Scott Shelbourne

01-14-2003, 10:05 AM	#7
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	I decided to pull the fuse on the radio and let it sit a few days to see if that was the probelm, well after pulling the radio fuse the radio still worked!! So I unhooked the radio and two days later the truck starts right up...no more problems. It sounds like the radio was hooked up to a constant power source! Thanks for all the help fellas! -Jeff



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