Electrical Short

CAPVEE

MEMBER
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO

I have a 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo, 87K, newer engine, 4.3L FI, 22K, whose battery dies in a few days if I don't drive the car or at least start the engine. The battery is 1.5 years old and the alternator is new. With the engine off, I disconnected the negative terminal from the battery and inserted a test light between the negative post and the negative cable - the light is lit showing a draw. One by one, I have removed every fuse and wire from the fuse box - the light stays lit. I have disconnected every electrical connector in the car and wiggled every switch and wire that I can see - the lit stays lit. How do I find this electrical short that is draining the battery every 4 to 5 days? Thanks!

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You need more than a test light here. Hook up a voltmeter the same as the test light and look for drops as you pull fuses. A normal system will draw about 1 volt!Pull fuses til you get a drop of more than the small 1-2 volt drops. Then you are close!