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Electrical Problem, Something keeps drawing power even when the car is off.

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Old 09-08-2010, 02:04 PM
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Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8l v6
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Axle/Gears: Probably the stock 3.42
Electrical Problem, Something keeps drawing power even when the car is off.

I have a 1985 Camaro IROC, and it keeps draining the battery when the car is parked for 2 or 3 days...
I checke the alternator is chargin properly, 14.3 volts with all electronics on...
BUt my dad told with the car off, to take the negative battery cable off and put a tester light on it to see if it has current flowing through it when its off. It did, he told me this means that something is draining the battery whiule the car is off. IS this normal on these cars?
I know the newere ones always have someting on but i dont think its supposed to do that on this one.
He also mentioned that it cpuld be a diode in the laternator that could be bad. I dont know how to check for that. COuld there be anything else on it that could be causing this? Because the only things on the car that are wired up are the lights and the engine, i dont have axc or the heater core or anything else hooked up, and so far as i can tell everyting looks good.

Thanks for the advice.
-Miguel
Old 09-08-2010, 03:11 PM
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Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Drain Problem But Don’t Call Rotor Rooter

With your test light hooked up disconnect the alternator wires.

If the light goes out that’s the problem.

If it doesn’t go out, one at a time remove the fuses.

When the light goes out that’s the circuit with the problem.


Happy Racing!



8 Wheels Corner Better Than 4, If You’re On The Outside You Have Fair Warning

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Old 09-08-2010, 03:14 PM
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Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Drain Problem But Don’t Call Rotor Rooter

It's a longshot, but with car off and key in pocket, place ear on gas tank and listen for the fuel pump - if it's running replace the oil pressure sending unit.
Old 09-10-2010, 11:58 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8l v6
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Axle/Gears: Probably the stock 3.42
Re: Electrical Problem, Something keeps drawing power even when the car is off.

I checked and it is the alternator.
It wouldnt be the fuel pump because my car is carb'd, and has a mechanical fuel pump.
Thanks for the help!
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