mstg007

I have a 65 Stang and I am curious how to trace to find out where a short is in my system. Usually, I can leave my batter connected for one day before it just dies. The battery is only 2 years old. I seem to go through batteries as well, every few years. (so its a battery eater). Has anyone else have any ideas on this?

Usually, I drive it in the summer and fall, and store it, for the other seasons. I do usually unplug the battery when it sets.

I have had it where I drive it for 5 mins to the gas station, and then I stop and It will not turn over after I fill up. I have to wait a few minutes until it will start or use a battery booster.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

JamesW

Disconnect your battery positive and negative cable

Using a DVM or other Ohmmeter, connect lead 1 to your positive cable and lead 2 to a good chassis ground different than the one the negative cable uses.

Note the reading. If the meter deflects or registers a resistance, then you have established a short, or "leak"

Now remove fuses one by one until you find the circuit that zero's the meter.

Once you have that circuit identified, then you have to systemmatically trace back that circuit to establish where the short is occurring.

It can be tedious and time consuming, but it is the only way to find the fault. Be sure you have an Osborne Wiring Manual for your 65. It will lead you down the path for the circuit in question.

kalli

that's a good idea, never tried it this way.
I usually measure amps (as well disconnect the battery and hook the ampmeter right inbetween).
50-100mA is usually the clock. In old cars it actually pulls every second so easy to identify.
Anything more is usually something that shouldn't be pulling power.

btw: you're not looking for a short. A short will either kill a fuse straight away, burn your cables or drain the battery in 10 mins. What you're looking for is a consumer

djsprinklesnjo

good luck find the problem. wiring can be a pain some times. keep us posted.