AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Gremlins => Topic started by: Nightpath on May 23, 2014, 09:00:57 AM

Title: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 23, 2014, 09:00:57 AM
Howdy all,

For the past while I've been going out to the Eagle and the battery is randomly dead. Can't seem to figure it out.

First I thought it was my bad brake light switch, swapped it out...nope.

Stereo? Replaced the Ford antique that was in there...nope.

All interior lights are unhooked (interior is gutted atm for rebuilding it).

Only thing I can think of is the headlight switch possibly shunting power straight to ground when it's turned off. I've had an issue with it already with the "daytime running lights" (switch pulled 1/2 way out).

Has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm going to try to find a replacement at my personal Eagle graveyard today but any suggestions would be ub3r.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: BenM on May 23, 2014, 10:55:41 AM
Gremlins like that are a pain to ferret out. Have you checked your door switches? Do you have a hood light or maybe a trunk light or hatch switch? Also, a bad diode in the alternator can do that, perhaps an alt test could eliminate that.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 23, 2014, 11:17:26 AM
No hatch lights, and the door switch isn't a complete circuit because the interior light is removed. Not to say that one can't be bad.

It seems that every time I use the headlights it turns into a crap shoot whether my battery is going to die or not.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Mernsy on May 23, 2014, 11:25:03 AM
Unhook the battery and put an ammeter between the battery post and the cable. If it shows a draw when everything is off, pull the fuses one at a time to try to narrow it down.
If it doesn't show a draw, turn the headlight switch on and off to see what happens.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: profeagle on May 23, 2014, 12:11:49 PM
A simple thing to try is to disconnect the alternator overnight, not the large red wire, just the two wire plug. If battery is still good then problem is the diode trio in alt., Might be good idea to test battery also.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 23, 2014, 07:54:45 PM
I charged the battery and hooked it all back up. Going to see if it drains again.

Have a new headlight switch and wiper switch. Going to swap them out tomorrow.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: DaemonForce on May 24, 2014, 12:17:31 AM
I think it's your power seat control. Happened to me years ago and wouldn't stop until I overhauled the cheap little switch. :-\
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 24, 2014, 01:28:25 PM
No power options. Thank goodness lol...less things to root out.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 25, 2014, 11:42:07 AM
I turned the interior light switch up to the brightest point. Battery lost a lot of charge.

Think this may be the culprit.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: JayRamb on May 26, 2014, 01:10:21 PM
Can a guy replace JUST the diode instead of the entire alternator?
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Mernsy on May 26, 2014, 01:38:41 PM
Can a guy replace JUST the diode instead of the entire alternator?

http://amceaglesden.com/guide/index.php?title=Alternator_Rebuild
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 28, 2014, 03:59:43 PM
Ok...it is the light switch. I replaced it and it still does the same thing. When I unplug the positive terminal a d turn the lights off it draws current through the multimeter.

Anyone have any ideas what to try or do next?
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Draekon on May 28, 2014, 04:36:54 PM
Which light switch are you referring to?
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 28, 2014, 05:04:23 PM
Headlight
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Draekon on May 28, 2014, 05:51:10 PM
Make sure you don't have it turned all the way up.  You can turn it up to the point right before it clicks, but don't turn it up more.  Once it clicks into the highest point, it leaves the interior lights on all the time.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 28, 2014, 06:18:17 PM
Already checked that. With 2 different switches (both from old eagles) it still draws power. Slowly but surely. Everything in the car is disconnected now but that and it's sucking juice.

I have a feeling the old guy that had it before me has something wired in that's drawing power that shouldn't be. When I remove the switch or have it turned off its still drawing current.

The drain when I have the battery disconnected and leads attached to negative on the battery and the positive wire shows a .035v constant drain. It drops to 0 when a light switch or ignition is turned on.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 28, 2014, 07:24:04 PM
Is anyone able to try what I'm doing on their good Eagle? Seeing and knowing if there is residual drain on a stock Eagle would go far in helping me.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Mernsy on May 28, 2014, 08:31:39 PM
Unhook the battery and put an ammeter between the battery post and the cable. If it shows a draw when everything is off, pull the fuses one at a time to try to narrow it down.
Drain is measured in amps not volts. An easier way for you may be to unhook one battery cable after dark. If there is a drain there will be a spark when you touch the cable to the post. Remove the fuses one by one until you don't get a spark. That will be the circuit that's at fault.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on May 28, 2014, 08:49:51 PM
Maybe I shouldn't be out doing this when I have the shits. Can't think right when I have to poo every 15 minutes. ..
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: carnuck on May 29, 2014, 09:25:38 PM
TMI, but I hear that! (diverticulosis) Just leave the battery unhooked. Does your door sag? If so, the door jam switch may be staying on (grounded inside)
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Mernsy on May 31, 2014, 07:04:23 AM
Have you found the drain or are you still on the toilet?
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: profeagle on May 31, 2014, 10:16:04 AM
Is anyone able to try what I'm doing on their good Eagle? Seeing and knowing if there is residual drain on a stock Eagle would go far in helping me.
Well there is on mine. It's for the electric clock and radio memory. So if not using the car, I disconnect the battery.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: eagleman on May 31, 2014, 10:53:29 AM
There is on mine as well. So when not in use I leave it connected to a battery maintainer. Cheap and works like a charm.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: profeagle on May 31, 2014, 05:57:22 PM
There is on mine as well. So when not in use I leave it connected to a battery maintainer. Cheap and works like a charm.

Very good idea, keeps battery fresh all the time!    8)

I,ll do the same!  :)  Why didn't I think of that, I am getting to old to think very much, I guess ! ha.   ;D

Happy Eagle-ing   :eaglebig:
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: Nightpath on June 02, 2014, 03:25:25 PM
Off the toilet now lol.

I went from work to home, a quick 5 minute drive. Full voltage on the battery.


Hit home, car wouldn't restart.  :censored: battery dropped a volt in that time. I almost bet the alternator is bad.

Going to swap it out and see what happens. It seems totally random when it occurs.

Edit : the big thick wire from my alternator is busted in 2 places. Seems like it's separated quite bad on on side.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: mudkicker715 on June 02, 2014, 05:14:42 PM
Off the toilet now lol.

I went from work to home, a quick 5 minute drive. Full voltage on the battery.


Hit home, car wouldn't restart.  :censored: battery dropped a volt in that time. I almost bet the alternator is bad.

Going to swap it out and see what happens. It seems totally random when it occurs.

Edit : the big thick wire from my alternator is busted in 2 places. Seems like it's separated quite bad on on side.

This now sounds like my concord. However my alt wire is good. Before i get into it, i carry a $500 battery booster that is awesome so when i get to my problem i get to it. I believe my solenoid is sh it. If it gets warm it will not start.
Title: Re: Random battery dying
Post by: profeagle on June 03, 2014, 08:39:29 AM
That problem is usually the starter . Needs a draw test