[vove]

Something is draining my battery but I cant narrow it down. After a two month trip I go to the garage and try to start the car, it didn't even crank. Went to get a new battery and she fired right up. After a week or two I got a RSR chip installed in my car and she ran fine for a day then the next day she killed the battery just enough to keep the clock running right but not enough to fired the car up. Went to check the battery out again and sure enough it needed replacement . Now, Im afraid to keep the car connected to the battery when parked because of the battery drainage problem Im facing. Yesterday I connected the new battery and went for a quick drive then I parked for about ten minutes. Came out to the car and it wont crank again, then I disconnected the battery then waited for about five minutes, reconnected the battery then she fired right up. What is happening to my C4? Anyone have a clue?

[Parenn911]

What is happening to my C4? Anyone have a clue?

I think it might be alternator problem.

[vove]

good thinking

[Parenn911]

good thinking

Thanks, bet you can't figure out how I came up with that one!

[VULTURE]

Originally Posted by Parenn911

Thanks, bet you can't figure out how I came up with that one!

Originally Posted by vove

good thinking

[Jazzbass]

Electrical troubleshooting 101:

Either you're battery isn't getting charged (alternator problem) or something is draining current while the car is off. To test for the latter:

Get an ammeter. Hook it up between the battery and the car while the car is off. See how much current you are drawing - it should be low, less than an amp. If you're draining your battery that fast, it won't be low. Then, start pulling fuses one at a time until the current drain goes away. If you're lucky, one of the fused circuits will contain the cause of the current drain.

Now, find out what's on that circuit. Plug the fuse back in. Unplug items on the circuit until the current drain goes away. There is the cause of your dead battery. Hope its not your DME box or something similarly expensive.

[vove]

Thats what people on the 964 board is telling me to do, hopefully this will weed out the culprit. Thanks Chris.

[Chopper Dropper]

Sounds like the only cure is to drop the engine.Don't know where you will find volunteers to help with that though. Good luck on your diagnostics.
Dirk

[Jim Richards]

Yes, absolutely, an engine drop is warranted. I can store it in the back of my 73E while you fight your electrical gremlins, Tim.

[Don Wohlfarth]

Tim, I have a 93 RSA and it sits for long periods of time. Absolute crap shoot if car will start. I've gone thru Elect Trouble I,II, III, with no success. Volt from alt 14.4, battery volt after recharge 12.8-12.85 or long run time on road. Could be 2 days or 2 months.
Finally quit chasing my tail with intermitent problem. Bought a Battery Tender from Chatham Motorsports, less than 50 bucks. Car now starts every time.
I also have a 82 SC and I put a bat tend on it as well, more of preventive maintenance than any problem. Both cars sit for long periods, anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Over past several years it seems only car that gets any mileage on it is my 914 and it's a track only car.