Mysterious Power Drain

14 volts is definitely not too much for the alternator to be charging, matter of fact it's about perfect. I think the alt and reg are working perfectly. You really need to get the battery tested. The battery needs to be charged and then load tested. If it falls below about 9-10 volts with a simple load test it is bad. More than likely it will drop down to about 4-6 volts which is not enough to start anything. If it is load tested and never returns back up to at least 12 volts, it is bad. Like Maverick1970 said, take it to AutoZone and let them test it for you. They have the proper equipment and can keep you from buying something you don't need. My money is on a bad battery.

 

I agree (where is the I agree smiley??) I replace at least one battery a year (5 vehicles) and it is always when it is cold ....... as a matter of fact, the comet needs one now, I just need $$ (just replaced the 2 on the van in nov.) ..... Robert

 

Well, here's the problem guys. This battery was working great prior to the alternator and regulator change. I even charged it up and load tested it prior to reinstalling it, and it didn't drop below 10V. I believe the battery is still good. The fact of the matter here is something is draining the hell out of it, and quick. It went from fully charged to just about stone dead in a couple of hours. Like I said, I've been having trouble with my ignition switch. I'm thinking there is still juice running to all circuits in the car even with the key off.

I think what I'll have to do is charge the battery up fully and then pull the fusible link that runs up to the switch. If the battery doesn't drain, obviously it's the switch. If it does, I'll pull the fusible link running to the alternator harness. Those are really the only two possible causes of this I think. Either way that 10 lb sledge in the garage is starting to look like a pretty attractive option right now <img>. I'm a little bitter about all this because I just got done spending days and days on the V8 conversion, power disc conversion, and 5 lug rear end swap.

 

IF you need them, I took pics of the alternator wiring as requested.
Let me know.

Seth
redcometgt@aol.com

 

I think its the regulator.....it happend to me....I still have not fixed it yet but a few months back, before the trip to Missouri, I gave the car a tune-up. I did not change the alternator, but I did put a new regulator on it. After I did that, when the key was off, the alternator liight would come on....its draining the battery. I have a quick disconnect on the car right now....but I assume its the regulator cause thats the only thing I changed.

 

Yep, I believe it's the regulator. I just charged my battery and went out there and installed it. It was sparking when I connected the negative battery cable even with the key off, indicating something was drawing current. I disconnected the fusible link running to the alternator wiring harness...spark gone. So there it is, regulator is bad even though it is charging just fine.

 

wooo woooo!
Thats my thoughts....charges fine when running.....do you still have your old reg?
maybe put it back on and double double check.

 

I gotta thank all you guys for your advice, lots of good ideas from everbody. I especially wanna thank Seth and Dennis, I've probably pestered the hell out of you guys over the years, but I've learned a lot from you guys and I want to thank you for being so willing to share all your knowledge. My skills have a come a long way over the years.