Power Problems
 

Ok i just bought a new battery about 3 months ago. cost about 100.00. the car ran good but if i left it sitting off for about 3 days it would drain and be "dead". i could jump it and it would run fine and charge back up. now its well currently dead. i jumped it and let it run idle for around 2 hrs. reving occasionally. the car has the symptoms of altinator only with the lights. (dimming and such with the change of electrical usage. i have absolutely no accesories minus neon lighting. and subs. both have been unhooked and still no change in drivability. i need some help guys. its a 1987 z28 with a 350 TPI. the only problem is coolant leak from a hose... soon to be fixed.

sounds like theres a short to ground somewhere. give your wires a good look over if you can't see it then disconnect the ground wire hook up a test light to the negative terminal, and press it on the negative wire. if it lights up you have a drain, so you get the pleasure of chasing an electrical issue.

thanks man. ill be giving it some work tommorow ill let you know how it goes thanks agian.

the battery going dead by its self most of the time is caused by something is on hood light trunk light glove box light that sort of thing, but the alternator can have one of its diodes leaking and, it like an interior light left on, will do the same thing, drain the battery over a few days , two things you can do - one is if you have a test light ( ice pick with a wire type ) take off the neg side battery terminal and place the test light between the removed terminal and the battery < it should not be on ( brightly lit like putting on neg and plus accross battery the test light ) some systems the light will go to light than it will go off and glow dim when first connected, if the bulb on the test light is lit bright than unplug the alternator, if it goes out you found it if not, start removing fuses till it does, too find the drain -----Please note : if A door is open the light will come on, so, the doors light button Will have to be held in as if the door is closed, to do the fuse thing correct if the fuse box is inside the car --- second thing is the battery needs a complete slow over night 2 amp re charging, not just let the car run to do it, in peak state of charge the cars re charge system is designed to keep a battery that is charged corectly near the top and run the cars electric systems , under normal circumstances starting a car and driving off will take the alternator 10 to 15 minutes to re top the battery in a working system < that info is in print in the box when you buy a new battery most throw away and never read -- the alternator is going to be the cause my guess from what you have explained -- jz

way to repeat me.....

And provide far more detail than you.......don't be offended, he's only trying to help.

- Justin

offended???? whaaa...o0o I guess a smiley would have helped lol just ball bustin lol

lol thanks guys when the car is off the altinator has a slight high pitched whine in it.