Headlights drain battery? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rener57 · 03-31-2012, 01:34 AM

Hi everyone,

I have a 1970 c20. I installed a new battery and after a 2.5 hour drive the truck died as battery was completely dead. Prior to that it ran fine 2 days (had not used head lights).

Had autozone check alternator and charging system. They say all is good.

I am going to test all fuses with a light indicator between my battery and positive cable as the references in this forum say - if it ever stops raining.

I notice when I turn on my headlights my battery indicator on the dash will drop more than a quarter on battery gauge. I'm thinking there may be a bad cable or connection?

Is a drop that big normal. Let me know how much your battery gauge will drop when you turn on your headlights?

**LockDoc** · 03-31-2012, 09:12 AM

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Are the headlights dim? Sounds to me like you have a short somewhere. Check the dimmer switch and the wire connector that plugs into it. Also check the wires coming out of the fuse block to see if any of them are melted.

LockDoc

vectorit · 03-31-2012, 10:33 AM

Are you still running the external regulator, or is the charging system converted to internal regulator?

rener57 · 04-16-2012, 06:29 PM

Everyone thanks for the help!

It was a bad voltate regulator. Autozone tested the charging system however that does not check the regulator optimally. I found one for 19.99 so replaced and all drain issues are history.

With the new regulator the cab fan is running strong before you could barely tell it was on.

03-31-2012, 01:34 AM	#1
rener57 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 7	Headlights drain battery? Hi everyone, I have a 1970 c20. I installed a new battery and after a 2.5 hour drive the truck died as battery was completely dead. Prior to that it ran fine 2 days (had not used head lights). Had autozone check alternator and charging system. They say all is good. I am going to test all fuses with a light indicator between my battery and positive cable as the references in this forum say - if it ever stops raining. I notice when I turn on my headlights my battery indicator on the dash will drop more than a quarter on battery gauge. I'm thinking there may be a bad cable or connection? Is a drop that big normal. Let me know how much your battery gauge will drop when you turn on your headlights?

03-31-2012, 09:12 AM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,770	Re: Headlights drain battery? - Are the headlights dim? Sounds to me like you have a short somewhere. Check the dimmer switch and the wire connector that plugs into it. Also check the wires coming out of the fuse block to see if any of them are melted. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-31-2012, 10:33 AM	#3
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Headlights drain battery? Are you still running the external regulator, or is the charging system converted to internal regulator? __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

04-16-2012, 06:29 PM	#4
rener57 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 7	Re: Headlights drain battery? Everyone thanks for the help! It was a bad voltate regulator. Autozone tested the charging system however that does not check the regulator optimally. I found one for 19.99 so replaced and all drain issues are history. With the new regulator the cab fan is running strong before you could barely tell it was on.



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