Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Causes of Battery Drain in a 1969 Camaro
Almost all cars have the battery circuit in common. The battery drain on a 1969 Camaro will be related to the same causes as drain in a 2005 Explorer. In most circumstances, the drain is caused by short or open circuits, but other drains may be due to alternator failure, battery failure or improper battery maintenance.
Lights
If the light switch is accidentally left in an on position it could cause the battery to die rapidly. Despite their small size, dome lights can consume a lot of power quickly and are easy to leave accidentally activated. The door may be ajar just enough to allow the spring-loaded switch to stay in the on position. Another problem with lights, especially in older vehicles, is a tendency of the brake pedal to sag a little against the retaining spring.
Worn Ignition Switch
A worn ignition switch may allow the key to be removed while the ignition is still in the on position. It may appear that the ignition is properly off at a glance, but the slot is still slightly turned, allowing electricity to flow throughout the cars systems. Symptoms might include the key coming out of the ignition while the car is still running or blower fans still operating after the key is removed. Where the car radio is concerned, some are installed so that they operate independently of the ignition and may pose a battery drain risk for that reason alone if left on when the car is unattended.
Electrical Shorts
The wiring harness may have weathered a bit on a 1969 Camaro, allowing wires to be rubbed against sharp surfaces. Over time this can cause the insulation to be stripped off the wire and short, or it could cause binding that eventually stretches the wiring to a breaking point. Other electrical shorts may be related to springs that have worn out in switches such as electric windows. The severity of the drain will depend on the type and conditions of the short, but even a minor short will cause battery drain over time.
Shorted Alternator Diode
An alternator is a charging system for your battery. To prevent the electricity from flowing back to the alternator when the engine is off, a special blocking diode is installed. If this part fails, power flows back from the battery to the alternator and may even reach other systems that are directly connected in the circuit.
Battery Problems
Car batteries get old and stop functioning as well. If a cell goes bad in the battery and cannot hold a charge, it could create a constant internal drain on the battery as current is pushed through the dead zone. Another common problem is when a battery is not properly maintained and corrosion builds up on the terminals. This prevents the alternator from supplying a charge current, and allows the battery to drain as electrical systems are used.
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