quick power drain

[c-dog]

i have to jump my 86 4cyl everytime i get in it. it jumps, but there is a very fast power drain happening somewhere. i can start it again after driving and charging the battery, but after about 10-20 minutes, it's dead. i'm thinking it's the regulator. any other ideas???

 

[regularguy412]

It might take some time, but you could pull a fuse at a time to see if it's in the wiring harness. That way, you 'd know which circuit has the problem.

It could also be a cell in the battery going bad. Take your battery AND alternator up to a local chain parts store and have them checked. They'll check the battery under load.

Mike in AR

 

[fourwd1]

What is the voltage with the engine running?
It should be 14-15V.
Check it again with everything on (headlights, fan, etc.), it shouldn't drop much (it might at idle RPMs, so up the idle a little if necessary).

If the batt and alt check OK at the parts store, borrow an ammeter (measures current (amps)) and see what the drain on the batt is with engine and everything off - should only be 30-50 mA.

 

[fourwd1]

If it's more than 50mA or so start pulling fuses, looking for it to drop. This will help determine which circuit the problem is on.

 

[greasefingers]

How old is the battery?
Remove the positive battery cable. Connect one end of the amp meter to the + side on the battery and the other amp lead to the removed cable. Measure the current with everything off. The ECU and stereo need juice to retain memory settings. If you see something much greater than 50 miliamps then something is drawing too much current. If not then your battery is either dead or the alternator is not charging or the regulator is fired.

 

[c-dog]

thank you all. i don't have a ammeter yet, so when i go to buy one, i am also going to take my alternator to have the regulator tested, the starter to have the solinoid tested, and the battery to get tested. that way, what ever it is, i can hopefully replace it while i'm there, i'll follow up to close thread...

thanks again

 

[c-dog]

no fix yet, i tried to pull the starter out and it was next to impossible to get out. i'm getting the transmission worked on so i told the guys to take a look at it while it was pulled out...