SteveG

They are suggesting a DVM, digi volt meter, so you can measure mili amps. The bulb will only tell you what you already know. There is an acceptable level, the number is in the archives for you to find. I'm sorry I don't remember it offhand. IF you get it down to the minimum, you will still have X weeks, maybe 4 on a good battery, YMMV. Since many have found they don't know how long the car may sit, and they just cannot get the drain to zero, they either disconnect the battery (which may result in a battery disconnect switch installed near the ebrake) or install a trickle charger in the car or mounted in the garage with a power access wired to the battery. There is much in the archives on these subjects.

SharkSkin

I suggested a light bulb because it does in fact show relative power draw, and it's safe -- no blown fuse in the DVM. In my case -- Fluke DMM -- that fuse is ~$7 per mistake. Once you have tackled various current drains down to the point where the bulb only lights dimly, it's generally safe for even a rookie to hook up an ammeter.

Dave Howerdel

Did you check that the directional switch is in the off position? I've toasted a battery or two this way.

bronto

Directional switch?

the flyin' scotsman

I believe he's talking about the flasher/indicator switch..................the lights stay on even with the engine off and key out. Its a Euro parking thing.

macreel

i.e., Turn Indicator stalk... up = right and the Rt-side markers are on
down = left and the lft-side markers burn.

Hard to see in daylight.


G'luck.

bronto

No, they weren't on. I checked everything I could as soon as I realized the battery was dead. It's either a wiring/short issue, or something really non-obvious. There is a Sony/CD Changer in it that I'm beginning to wonder about...

Alan

You shoud look for a total drain with the car fully off of <50mA - that would be acceptable - Ideally it shoulld be about 15mA.

Leakage contributors (all tiny) will be for example: Clock, Radio, Alarm, Keyless Entry, LH, CD Changers, Battery Minder + whatever bad stuff shouldn't be leaking... You won't have all these on a '79.

My car with lots of extra stuff installed (now there is an understatement) is still right at 15mA so it is possible...

Alan

bronto

Yep, I'm getting extra suspicious of the CD changer. I don't have alarm and keyless entry. What's LH?

the flyin' scotsman

The computer that controls the fuel injection; I don't believe your year has the LH but a version thereof.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Can you disconnect the cd changer?

bronto

Maybe. Probably. Tracking this down will be my project for the weekend.

bronto

Preliminary data... battery fully charged, showing around 12v on my multimeter. Connecting the multimeter in series with the ground cable pegs it at 250 DCma, which is it's highest reading. Testing while pulling fuses to begin tomorrow when I have a helper to read the meter while I pull fuses.

UKKid35

Failed demister relay would have been my suggestion, but not very likely since you live in CA!

bronto

I live in CA, but the car is most recently from St. Louis, and before that N. Dakota. But never driven in foul weather (based on statements by previous owners, undercarriage condition and 70k miles).

What's a dimester relay?