Battery Drain

hornet_54
hornet_54 Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Today I had a dead battery in my ’54 Hornet sedan. I got out the meter and found there was a 1 amp drain with everything turned off. I traced the drain as far as the circuit breaker. Since the breaker is not readily accessible, are there any suggestions on what areas I should check?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I'm not acquainted with Step-Downs; where is the circuit breaker within the wiring system? The only one I knew of, was the one on the headlight switch.
  • hornet_54
    hornet_54 Senior Contributor
    Jon B wrote:
    I'm not acquainted with Step-Downs; where is the circuit breaker within the wiring system? The only one I knew of, was the one on the headlight switch.

    The circuit runs from the batt to the starter solenoid to the horn relay to the circuit breaker. From there it fans out under the dash. I have eliminated the starter, the alternator and the horn.



    Bob
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    You haven't left the heater on in the "Low" position have you? This draws about 1 amp, and is very hard to hear.
  • hornet_54
    hornet_54 Senior Contributor
    Geoff C., N.Z. wrote:
    You haven't left the heater on in the "Low" position have you? This draws about 1 amp, and is very hard to hear.

    Thanks, Geoff. I checked the heater and it is off. It appears to be wired through the ignition switch.



    Bob
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    I would suspect the Electric clock - if it has one. many moons ago i had to disconnect (take the fuse out) the clocks all makes of cars. Remember what ever is drawing the battery down is something that only has power supplied to it when the car is shut off. IE clock, trunk light staying on glove box light. ar any accesory that may have been installed and wired direct battery voltage. Process of elimination by eliminating one at a time.



    Good Luck, Jim Spencer
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    hornet_54 wrote:
    Today I had a dead battery in my ’54 Hornet sedan. I got out the meter and found there was a 1 amp drain with everything turned off. I traced the drain as far as the circuit breaker. Since the breaker is not readily accessible, are there any suggestions on what areas I should check?

    Thanks in advance,

    Bob
    Check that your door courtesy lights are not staying on with the doors closed. Walt.
  • TOM-WA-
    TOM-WA- Senior Contributor
    walt's garage-53 wrote:
    Check that your door courtesy lights are not staying on with the doors closed. Walt.



    Ahhhh..can someone tell me how I can see if the courtesy lights are ON if the door is closed? I have tried for years to see if the light in the fridge stays on after the door is shut, but other than drilling a hole in the door I am baf:D:D:D:D:Deled?
  • hornet_54
    hornet_54 Senior Contributor
    Battery Drain Update: The problem was in the Rear Quarter lights and easily fixed. Thanks for the coaching.



    Bob
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    TOM-WA- wrote:
    Ahhhh..can someone tell me how I can see if the courtesy lights are ON if the door is closed? I have tried for years to see if the light in the fridge stays on after the door is shut, but other than drilling a hole in the door I am baf:D:D:D:D:Deled?
    When the door is 2 inches from being closed, you can see the light go out. If it's still lit, they will be on all the time. Walt.
  • jjbubaboy
    jjbubaboy Senior Contributor
    I think he meant THE FRIDGE! LMAO :D



    T Jeff
  • hornet_54
    hornet_54 Senior Contributor
    Hudson308 wrote:
    Did you mean in the taillights, or in the rear interior courtesy lights?



    It was the rear interior courtesy lights. The switch was faulty.
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