Battery/Ignition question

[phraza]

Hi,

So the c10 has been in the garage for 2 weeks while I was away, went to start it today and the battery was dead. It has a new battery, alternator and regulator.

Chucked the battery charger on it for a few hours and went out to buy a multimeter to check the juice in the battery. (Also got a new positive terminal as the current one was pretty old). When I got back the battery was reading about 12.5v which is what it should be, so I changed the terminal and hooked it all up and it fired straight up.

Pretty sure I didn't leave anything on over the 2 weeks, is there a way to check what is drawing power while it's turned off? Or is it a matter of going around checking everything with one of those current testers (with the light in it)?

Just a side note, the ignition, I discovered today that there is another position for the key, I thought off was straight up and down, but I managed to turn it one more position to the left, is that true off? Would that be my issue with the battery down?

Thanks all, sorry if this is a rookie question

Cheers

[phraza]

Sorry, should also say, that the GEN light stays on for about 1-2 hours after it's been switched off and the key removed.

Not grounded properly? Would this be causing the drain?

Cheers

[aerotruk63]

[DPowers]

I believe your truck is a '64 correct? Originally on your truck Off would be straight up and down as the Accessory option didn't come out until later.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=464891

Sounds to me that you have a short somewhere. VetteVet would be the man to contact.

[phraza]

Awesome thanks heaps! Good to know that it's up and down for off. Must be a loose barrel that lets me move the key to the left.

I'll investigate the GEN light staying on too, as that might be contributing to the draining of the battery.

Cheers,

[jtrichard]

OR the switch has been replaced with one that has an ACC position ..... As for how to check for drain when everything is "OFF" pull the + cable off the battery and place your test "light" in between the post and the cable see if it lights up at all the more drain the brighter it will be ....Bad diodes in the alternator will drain the battery in short order and may be why the "GEN" light stays on

[phraza]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

OR the switch has been replaced with one that has an ACC position ..... As for how to check for drain when everything is "OFF" pull the + cable off the battery and place your test "light" in between the post and the cable see if it lights up at all the more drain the brighter it will be ....Bad diodes in the alternator will drain the battery in short order and may be why the "GEN" light stays on

Awesome, cheers mate, will give that a crack this week.

(I visited Joshua Tree NP last week, wicked place! - I did see a flat black 64-66 C10 driving around with no hood in the area haha)

[jtrichard]

Wish i had known you could have came by and looked at my junk I mean collection LOL you were within 5 miles of my place

[phraza]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

Wish i had known you could have came by and looked at my junk I mean collection LOL you were within 5 miles of my place

Haha next time! We were staying in Palm Springs. I'm pretty sure we'll be back again, pretty cool out those ways

[jtrichard]

What gate did you use to enter the park?

[phraza]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

What gate did you use to enter the park?

West entrance in Joshua Tree town (we stopped at the visitor centre with the gift shop across the road) and we did a loop and exited down the road (Oasis maybe?). Skull rock is pretty choice!

[jtrichard]

YEAH you were less than 4 miles from me

[phraza]

So at a mates place today and went to start the car and it almost turned over then when I went to start it again, nothing. I took the key out and then put it back in and started it first pop.

My mate that was there used to be a mechanic and he said check the starter, solenoid and the ground. Could be the issue there. That could be draining the battery too apparently

Cheers

[Wrenchbender Ret]

If the alt. light stays on you definetly have a shorted diode in the alt. That will run down the battery.

[Lowl!f3]

Hey just so you know. A buddy of mine from this site. Had an issue with battery drain. And a weird flicker in lights. It turned out his ignition was shorting out inside or something. He swapped it out and it's all good to go now.

[phraza]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

If the alt. light stays on you definetly have a shorted diode in the alt. That will run down the battery.

Yea the gen light stays on for at least a couple of hours after taking the key out after running. So definitely sounds like what you are saying. The alt is fairly new (previous owner) so will get it checked out to see

Cheers for your advice

[phraza]

Originally Posted by Lowl!f3

Hey just so you know. A buddy of mine from this site. Had an issue with battery drain. And a weird flicker in lights. It turned out his ignition was shorting out inside or something. He swapped it out and it's all good to go now.

Awesome thank you, will put this on the list to check. Cheers!!

[ironman3452]

Originally Posted by DPowers

I believe your truck is a '64 correct? Originally on your truck Off would be straight up and down as the Accessory option didn't come out until later.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=464891

Sounds to me that you have a short somewhere. VetteVet would be the man to contact.

mine has an accessory on the switch, mine is a 64 c30 panel