78 GLS with battery drain

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78 GLS with battery drain

Postby wyke » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:47 pm

My battery ( although new ) sluggishly turns engine and shows low to mid charge by end of week. After standing for weekend in cold weather it just about turns.
I decided to investigate this weekend and put a current meter between battery terminal and lead to solenoid. It had a constany staedy reading about 20 mA. I took off terminals for alternator and the L shaped ( field coils I think) - dropped the value to about 7.5mA.

Tried to disconnect other electrical items but still a steady 7 to 10 mA leaking away.

Any ideas - seems to be a faulty alternator along with something else - not sure what !

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78 GLS with battery drain

Postby pbottomley » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:52 pm

I had a similar problem at the beginning of the year, ended up taking the
easy option of swapping alternators to see if that cured it, It did. Not
saying it is the same issue, but if you have access to another alternator
maybe worth a try ?



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Postby mazzo » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:54 pm

Have you got a stereo with memory? This will take a slight current. The other thing is a clock.

I had a similar problem with my HC which took me ages to trace - and it was the stereo which I hadn't considered at all. :oops:
1971 1600 HC DeLuxe
1971 Green 2 door HC Base model
1978 Red 4 door Viva E from new
1969 HB 1159 4 door SL
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78 GLS with battery drain

Postby MattHC1600SL » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:18 pm

You sure the boot light isnt sticking on? Can't remember if they work all the time on a GLS or just when the lights are on as on my SL. Failing that it does sound like the alternator - probably a faulty diode pack. Matt HC425

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