1987gta
Sep 13 2008, 02:46 AM
I've got an 87 trans gta, it was in storage for a few years, it's got something draining the battery while it's sitting, i had to replace the battery cause it ruined the old one, but it still drains, and it even drains pretty quick while i'm driving. i'm dyin over this thing- help me out please
SassySue09
Sep 13 2008, 03:40 AM
First of all, welcome to TFS!
As for the battery draining, the first thing I'd check is all the wiring cause a short to ground can be a major factor that causes that. I know that for a fact cause I had a short to ground in my 87 one time that caused the same issue. On mine it turned out that one of the wires for the ignition system had gotten a crack in the covering and at that spot it was hitting on metal. It didn't cause any starting issues or anything but it sure did drain the yellow top optima battery I had in the car and eventually ended up causing the battery to not be able to hold a charge at all.
If you can't find anything with the wiring what you might want to do is take it to some place like Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc and have them check the battery to see if there is a draw on the car with it shut off. If they do find something like that alot of the time they can give you a good idea of what might be causing the draw on the battery.
chvrlt283
Sep 30 2008, 08:55 PM
First charge the battery, if it will take a charge. If it wont take a charge, replace it. If the battery still drains while the vehicle sits, then like you probably have two concerns at the same time, an ignition off draw and a no charging condition.
You'll need to perform an ignition off draw test. Take a multimeter and put in amp meter mode. Put it to 10A to start with. Then with the car completely turned off carefully disconnect the negative battery lead while the multimeter is hooked up in series between the negative cable and negative on the battery- record the reading. Anything above .050A (50mA) is abnormal. Anything higher than that will cause an ignition off draw. If you have this problem, keep the multimeter hooked up. Then pull one fuse at a time. When the current draw drops below the 50mA mark, it is something on that fuse's circuit that is either on or grounding out. Then you get to go hunting as to what is still on/grounded on that circuit, but at least you know where to start looking.
As for not charging while driving, take it somewhere (like Autozone) and have them test the alternator. They'll be able to tell you if it's good or bad. Obviously if it's bad, replace it. If the alternator is indeed good, then you get to trouble shoot the wires in the charging circuit. Chances are likely that if it isn't charging, it will be the alternator.
I hope this helps and your 'Bird is back onthe road soon. God bless.
-Chvrlt283
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