Need Help with Electrical Problem

[FrankO]

My car battery drains overnight. The amp reading on the dash bounces from charge to discharge when the car is moving. Left hand turns seem to affect it the most. Have replaced battery, voltage requlator, alternator. The only thing I haven't tried is replacing electrical wire nor have I tested for a short! Please advise, Thanks

 

[72 Charger SE]

Sounds like a short to me. Get an electrical multimeter and measure how much current draw you have coming from the battery when everything is turned off. Then, with the multimeter still hooked up displaying the current draw (in amps or milliamps) start pulling fuses from your fuse box one at a time. When the reading on the multimeter drops after pulling a fuse, you should check the wiring for the electrical circuit using that fuse.

 

[UrbanXX]

It sounds to me as though you may have a voltage regulator, alt. problem.
But do check the fuses as listed in the above post. If that dosen't work go to the voltage regulator,alt.

This problem can also occur if the wrong blub is used in the interior, single prong bulb where a 2 prong bulb is used in the dome light etc.

 

[72 Charger SE]

I recommended starting with the fuses to isolate the short that it killing the battery overnight. Those other things listed will be good to check after finding the short when the car is off. Short could end up being something so simple as a light bulb not turning off when the car is off.

If the car's amp gauge is showing wild fluctuations while driving, it could be a short or problems with the charging system as mentioned above. If the amp gauge is reading extreme readings in any direction, you might want to consider rewiring the charging system to remove the amp gauge from the circuit (documented several times on here and other sites) and replace it with a volt meter. Do this before high current draw starts melting the wires in that part of the system.

 

[MarPar]

Ammeter bypass

here ya go!! http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges2.shtml :HappyNewYear:

 

[Eddie Mopar]

Interesting narrative on by-passing the ammeter.
However, if your draw on the battery is equal to 12 volts, we know we have a huge draw.
Before doing that part with your analog volt meter, make sure you disconnect your courtesy lights inside the passenger compartment. If you don't you will be working against yourself and not finding the true culprit.
Before you pull fuses, check to see if the glove box door light goes out by pushing the button in and check to see if the trunk compartment light on/off switch is not bad.
I would then go to pulling fuses, if you have not found your problem yet.

 

[smogera70s]

I find it interesting that you experience more of a draw on left-hand turns, and a lot of fluctuation while driving. Perhaps your short is in the steering column where the constant motion of minute steering corrections while driving are causing a discharge when correcting left, and a "no-discharge" on right-hand corrections.

 

[daredevil]

check to make sure hot cable isnt chaffed at battery or cable end close to body. maybe on left turns battery is leaning over and grounding and possibly arcing at night in the damp air, does your radio have a memory? maybe try disconnecting it.Also check under dash for clipped hanging hot wire.

 

[FrankO]

Thanks, you gave me alot to work with. I will keep you posted as to my progress!!