My Box Caprice Drains Batteries

[Donks 10+ year member]

I just copped a 1988 Box Caprice last week. the only thing wrong with it. is that something drains the battery. like you need a Jump to get the sucker running. i was thinkin bout throwin a system in there but. I was wondering if any of you guys think you know what the hells draining my battery. i think it might have something to do with the engine wiring.

keep in mind. after i got it last satuday we jumped it and never turned it off. we drove it back from cincinatti, oh to columbus, ohio. 2hr drive.

i dont know what the hell it is. the guy i got it from he got a brand new battery in it. he has a warranty on his battery and the caprice kept draining it. he kept taking it back and getting new batteries until they told him he only has a limited warranty. The battery that is in it now is brand NEW but its drained. i threw the battery from my buick in it and it start up just fine and perfect. but if i leave a new charged battery in there, it'll drain it and then it'll need a jump.

What the hell keeps draining my battery?

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[Coolwazabi 10+ year member]

sounds like ur alt isn't charging the battery...

 

[quest51210 10+ year member]

x2 and domks, you keep showing how much of a shit head you really are

sounds like ur alt isn't charging the battery...

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

Yeah new alternator

 

[Coolwazabi 10+ year member]

oh and stop by an auto shop locally and see if they can get a reading on ur alt..

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

have your alt tested... sounds like you going to need a new one...

 

[Donks 10+ year member]

thanks you guys cause i would have never had a clue that was the problem

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

Really????

 

[Donks 10+ year member]

Really????

not really...but im probly gunna buy this alternator

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-89-CAMARO-CAPRICE-FIREBIRD-USED-85-AMP-ALTERNATOR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ33573QQihZ011QQitemZ320181086847QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

you might as well get a HO alt in it.....

 

[imready77 10+ year member]

I'm having a similar problem with my astro and I was told that it was the starter. Something about the circuit in the starter is stuck open and its draining the battery when the car is off. I dont know much about cars. Could the starter be the cause of this?

 

[01 S 10 10+ year member]

save up and get an H.O. alt after you buy it, that one probably wont last very long, seeing as its "used" and only $25.

 

[missinglink 10+ year member]

I would get one from the junk yard for now don't waste the money for the shipping on the ebay one.

What size engine?

It shows a cs130 alt (100amp factory) 4.3L / 5.0L

MLA

 

[rollingthunder 10+ year member]

Just start the car, and unplug one of your battery cables. If the car keeps running, your alt is fine. Something is probably not wired correctly which is draining your car overnight.

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

I'm having a similar problem with my astro and I was told that it was the starter. Something about the circuit in the starter is stuck open and its draining the battery when the car is off. I dont know much about cars. Could the starter be the cause of this?

yeah thats true i have heard of that..