Weird electrical problem

79 SC

Symptoms:

1. Battery discharges after 1.5 days of sitting - new Optima.

2. Flip right side turn signal, right side dash indicator flashes once, then both dash indicators start flashing faintly. Right side rear turn signal flashes as designed. Right side front turn signal never comes on.

Attempts to repair:

1. Pulled out both front bulbs and they test good.

2. Replaced turn signal stalk with new unit. No change.

Is it possible that this is a bad relay? Any other ideas?


Thanks in advance.
M

[tkrefeld]

check your grounds and for broken or partially grounded wires at the fuse box

Any other ideas?

[Jocke]

Originally posted by Mark Wilson
Any other ideas?

Have you checked the grounds?
tkrefeld is right here, it sounds like a typical ground-problem, you can measure it with a Ohm-instrument if it's hard to get to the grounds.

/Jocke

[Early_S_Man]

Mark,

Yes, it could be the relay! Check for corrosion on the terminals or socket.

[fintstone]

It is most likely not the relay. I don't see it as purely a grounding problem and suspect that you have two unrelated problems. A poor ground in the turn signal circuit should not effect charging or battery life at all. If you a hot wire that is shorting out to ground through this circuit, it could possibly cause both problems.
First, check to see if the front right signal works when you turn on the hazard lights. This will eliminate a lot of wiring from suspicion. If not, then check your connections at your right turn signal fuse. The rear signal is picked off before the fuse, so the fuse connection is a likely suspect. Look for loose, or corroded wiriring or fuse terminals. Also check for possible shorts to other wires/terminals. If that does not solve your problem, check from the fuse to the signal light socket.
The right front turn signal bulb grounds through a circuit with the right parking light and the right headlight...any problems with these?

OK, found the blinker prob. The fuse for the rt fr was loose in the fuse holder(I hate the fuse setup in these cars). Just cleaned the terminals for that fuse and blinky, blinky.

Next question, could this cause the battery discharge, or do I have another prob?

[fintstone]

Bingo! As per my last post, this would not cause a battery discharge problem.
You said that the battery discharges after sitting for 1.5 days. That is really fast! These type problems are usually tthe charging system and/or the battery not getting charged fully beforehand. Are you sure your Optima was fully charged? Do you have a voltmeter?

[john70t]

I don't think it should as the blinkers should only work when ignition is on. Could there be a semi-short in the light switch?
See what fuses show voltage with the key-out-engine-off and compare that to what should have current all the time (hazards, interior lights, radio).
Also pull a suspect live fuse and with the ampmeter funtion check how much current's going through the box.
The first suspect is the alarm and radio, but I thought Optimas were deep cycle batteries like the marine ones and it sounds like a heavy-duty short.

Mabye the alternator is showing proper voltage but corrosion, or the Optimas internal resistance, won't flow enough amps back to the battery(is this possible?).
The main positive cable from the battery is rubbing through on a weak ground?(this sounds more like an instant fire and just tossed in for ideas sake)

The next post sounds like he's got it nailed:

[anh911]

Likely you have another problem. Battery discharge in that short a time is probably a bad diode in the charging system.
Does the battery light on the intstrument panel come on with the key on but car not running?
A good way to find a battery drain if you are sure the charging system is not at fault is to use either an inductive amp meter (or if you are careful not ot overload it, temporarily wire one inline to the main battery hot or ground) then one by one remove fuses for all electrical consumers until you find out which one is causing the drain.

Also, don't forget to check the obvious first - everything switched off like lights incl. glove box and interior etc...

Guys, thanks for all the help!!! I'm not sure if the battery is recharging all the way. It jumps very easily though. The battery light does come on before start and goes out after. I started and ran the car for a while tonight, so I'll check it for start in the morning. Unfortunately, I'm headed to Dallas for the holidays tomorrow so the rest of the chase will have to wait. Thanks again for the advice!!!!