Battery or Charging Issue on SC

[ScottT80]

My '81 SC has developed an issue since around Christmas where it doesn't want to start without being jumped off. Once started it seems to run fine with no charging light or funny electrical issues.

I had driven it regularly a couple of times a week up until Christmas, then we had a bit of bad weather and the roads were salted. Since then I've driven it about once a month since.

The battery connections are all tight and appear in good shape. I've replaced the battery once since owning the car. It's probably three or four years old at this point.

It doesn't seem to take much extra juice to start at all, but without it flat out refuses to start.

I've read around a bit on here about other folks charging issues. My guess is a bad cell in the battery. What do you guys think?

[tirwin]

You could pull the battery and take it to be tested at a local auto parts store.

Here's a link to an overview of how to test for a drain.
https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/charging-articles/testing-your-battery-for-parasitic-load.html

I had one that turned out to be on the front defroster circuit in my SC. My car did not have a front defroster but apparently the factory installed the same wiring harness regardless.

After I disconnected that wire from the fuse panel it was fine. After disconnecting it I had less than 10 mA regular draw.

[wwest]

Battery post/connections need to be cleaned/burnished.

"Jumped" power is connected "downstream" of the battery electrical battery connections, bypassing the battery post's connections.

Battery/alternator works with low, relatively, running/charging current flow, low milli-ohm connection resistance not enough to adversely effect system.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by ScottT80

My '81 SC has developed an issue since around Christmas where it doesn't want to start without being jumped off. Once started it seems to run fine with no charging light or funny electrical issues.

I had driven it regularly a couple of times a week up until Christmas, then we had a bit of bad weather and the roads were salted. Since then I've driven it about once a month since.

Well........ A month sitting there can make even a good battery wheezy.

Put it on a charger all night and see how she does.

You may charge it daily but I don't think it's stated.