New World Datsuns...

So, my truck is basically all stock. Original L16 and all original wiring. I have added a tach and a stereo (no amp on stereo) and aftermarket gauges but, I try to leave the wiring alone as much as possible. I don't like electrical and I don't like rats nest wiring. Electrical fires are bad too...lol. Don't ask m how I know.... .

Charging system is working normal. 60amp external reg alt. Chg light works like it should too.

Anyways, on with my problem.

I park my baby in the garage now when I am gone for 18-22 days. The battery is only 1 year old. If I leave battery hooked up, when I get home it is dead. I make sure everything is turned off, gauge lights, interior light and stereo. It did this when I had no stereo installed too.

This last time I left I unplugged the Negative bat cable. It sat for 17 days. I just went out to garage, hooked up cable and had plenty of cranking power to start her up. Like I had a brand new battery.

So, I am thinking there is an electrical draw somewhere in the system. Not big enough to be noticed over a few days but after a couple weeks, the steady draw drains it enough to make dead bat. It will do this with a brand new battery as well. I put the one from my wifes crv in it once and, same results.

I don't mind just yanking the bat cable off but, does anyone have a clue as to where the draw may be coming from??

A guess would be the stereo because it has a constant memory 12V source going to it.

Is the stereo on a fused circuit?
You could remove that fuse next time to test that theory.

Do you have a good DVOM? One with a mA function?

if you got a volt meter this is what I would do.
pull / remove all the fuses, take a reading of the battery, come back in 1 hr and then check the volts. If their is a different in volts, then your starter is drawing.

It's not, then put all the fuses back in.

next step
Pull one fuse at a time and take a reading for each fuse. Should notice the voltage not dropping. That's where your draw is from.

That's a lot of time spent.

mA function on meter.
Connect meter between + on battery and + cable. Note reading.
Come back in an hour. On your truck there should be little draw.
Anything above 0.2 mA will be a drain.

Remove fuses until source of draw is found.
If no change, then suspect other constant 12V loads.

Thanks Keith. I changed it. That's info was a little lengthy.

I would guess the Alternator/External Regulator. I hate those things. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.

If you end up pulling all 6 fuses, and its still pulling .50mA or whatevers, look at your alt/reg.

There is no reason a car cant go 6 months without starting and start right out (excluding fuel stability problems), but how many do this with a fresh battery?

My car went on 2.5 months without starting, and it was fine.

Go IR. Easily hidable.
Jacob has a good point.

All points are valid!

flatcat19 wrote:A guess would be the stereo because it has a constant memory 12V source going to it.

Is the stereo on a fused circuit?
You could remove that fuse next time to test that theory.

Do you have a good DVOM? One with a mA function?

Yes fused circuit and it did it when no stereo installed.

Thank you very much for the info guys!!

I think I haz a internal reg alt in my stash somewherz. If not I will buy one....been wanting to go that route for a while anyhow.

dewitt!

& report back :-)

Make sure your cig lighter isn't stuck in also. that will cause a draw lolz

izzo wrote:Make sure your cig lighter isn't stuck in also. that will cause a draw lolz

Thot aboot that too but then realized I don't haz the lighter part ever plugged in. I think its lost in the glove box....I never go in the glove box. Just open it, throw somehtin in real quick and close it before anything falls out.

521 should have a 28? amp alt. unless a 510 one swapped in. Pull the plastic plug in the back of it and see if that's the problem next time you go away.

just going to drop this here for you Bill. Ok



http://s138.photobucket.com/user/datzen ... p.jpg.html

datsunmike wrote:521 should have a 28? amp alt. unless a 510 one swapped in. Pull the plastic plug in the back of it and see if that's the problem next time you go away.

Yes Mike, alt has been swapped