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1986 Camaro


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infringer
New User

Sep 8, 2009, 3:15 AM

Post #1 of 4 (3609 views)
1986 Camaro Sign In

1986
Chevy
Camaro
V8 305 Carburated
Aftermarket carb and distributor with external coil.

Anyhow here is my problem I have a parasitic drain or my alternator is bad.

Car sits for 3 days and battery is dead.

I do have a few things that are wrong though it appears that my gauge shows that my alternator does not hold voltage properly I turn the key on every day and the battery is at 9v and when I run the car it sits way below 12 volt for periods then jumps to above 12v and sits there on occasion as well...

Known Old Problems:

- Relay for fan is wired to run constant when ignition is turned on.
- Has no AC.
- Reverse lights dont work
- Trunk Popper dont work
- Cruise Control Dont work.
- Dash light adjustment knob you can turn up and it will get brightest then you turn it past that point and it will shut them off and you can keep turning it up and it will repeat this cycle.

Recent Problems that popped up:

- Rough starting in the morning
- Headlight brights went dim the other morning.
- Vibration in the front end (Took to mechanic for this he said most likely it is a belt issue in the front tires which is semi believable.)
- Bearing Noise (Could be from over tightening bearings the mechanic said.)

Anyhow... I thank you I will be figuring this thing out today hopefully...

I just need to remember the proper procedure to test for parasitic drain.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 8, 2009, 3:45 AM

Post #2 of 4 (3606 views)
Re: 1986 Camaro Sign In

There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.

You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



infringer
New User

Sep 8, 2009, 1:21 PM

Post #3 of 4 (3600 views)
Re: 1986 Camaro Sign In

Went to Walmart and had them test my battery I engraved my initials on it first to make sure they didnt try to pull one over on me or something. Battery went through every test possible.

Had my alternator tested at advanced auto twice passed all three tests both times...



Went through everything on 3 multimeters ... One that came brand new in the mail today actually that you can hook to your PC.

16.38MA This is the highest amount of draw that I see at any given time.

I bought a voltage and battery readout utility to watch battery discharge or charge and voltage levels during driving...

I noticed some odd things with this utility it appears to show a not so great charge at idle and at another point when I was slowing down it went from green to yellow to red.... But overall it should not have been anywhere near discharge.

I did spray my connections and bought new side post bolts and went over wire and wire and more wire looking for potential problems... Can not find any looks basically the same it did when everything was all spruced up a few months ago when I slapped all new gaskets and a new carb and distrib. and new power steering and new alternator and new battery and new plugs and new wires and new timing chain and gear and so much more crap I cant thing of total about 3grand plus worth of parts! All new...

Appreciate the help here it is something I suspect it is still the alternator but could be wrong dunno...

I'll find out if she goes dead again PS I am keeping the doors locked in case I have any creepy neighbors the ones that yell at me for going 40 in a 45 and say slow down... YEAH UMMMM ...

Anyhow...

Don't give up on me there may be something I am missing... I can take pics to prove everything stated if that is needed but for now ... Just take my word for it.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 8, 2009, 1:24 PM

Post #4 of 4 (3597 views)
Re: 1986 Camaro Sign In

What is the battery voltage at idle with no accessories on?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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