Electrical problem, battery keeps draining

[spags1986]

Before I really dive into the electrical I thought maybe someone here has experienced this and can save me some time.

On the 69 I just picked up I was told of an issue that the battery will die if left connected overnight. What I found yesterday though was interesting and I am sure is a culprit to my draining issue. As soon as you hook up the positive terminal you hear a loud "click" sound in the voltage regulator. Secondly after a quick drive around the block the car dies due to the fact power is only being pulled from the battery.

Does it sound like an alternator? what is the best way to diagnose this electrical problem?

[Linda]

Charge up the battery or put a good one in, then take it to Autozone for a charging system test. Will test alt, VR.
Then you have to be sure wiring is good since connections etc can mess things up. Just went thru this too.
Could be a parasitic draw.
Linda

[autoairman]

if you cant drive this car around the block with a fully charged battery,and the battery has been qualified as charged,you have a problem.make sure battery is good,capable of holding a charge,connect cables to battery on a cold car,then start feeling components,that draw should produce a fair amount of heat.cars like these without a lot of electrical load should run for a while with coil being the only load.just my 2 cents

[jrusso07]

A quick and dirty check, if you have a voltmeter.

1. Charge battery
2. Disconnect the battery - measure terminal voltage (record) - should be 12v
3. Connect the battery - measure terminal voltage (record) - should be 12v
4.start car - measure terminal voltage (record) - should be above 13v, more like 14v - if not you have a short in the regulator or the alternator.


Let us know what you get. Assuming all your electrical accessories work, (lights, horn, etc.), My bet is your voltage regulator is the culprit.

[spags1986]

Thanks everyone for your help. I ended up taking the "hot" wire off of the alternator then hooking the battery up. I found that the Voltage regulator didn't click, so I pulled the alternator and had it tested as Linda suggested and it did fail. Luckily I had an extra alternator in the garage and after hooking it up the car runs perfect! Thanks again for all your help.

[Linda]

Did you go to an alternator shop? AutoZone usually can only test the alt on the car, they don't often have the right connectors , though you can try saying 510 for their database
I think bad diodes can cause the "drain" on the battery. But good idea to have your battery checked anywsy to see if it can hold a charge. Easier to pull battery than alt!
Linda

[spags1986]

So I have my 67 2000 in a full rebuild now, so I stole that one for the time being. Ordering a new one today to replace it

[redroadster]

With a 10 -20 amp multi meter
Unhook the neg cable , on the high amp setting , usualy uses a seperate plug , put one to the cable and the other to the batt neg ....read amps , the clock or radio draw , only unless you have a internal reg alt