The Shop - How to Find a Short Circuit (parasitic battery drain) on a C3 Corvette.

[@kittypigeonclueless5566]

My friend, short, sweet, full of only useful information. Simply magnificent! Thank you so much for the info!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Hi Bob, Thank You! One of these days I'll figure out where exactly the drain was coming from and remedy it. Appreciate the comments.

[@MBAttack34]

Comment below said it best: short and to the point. In the process of restoring a '79 that belonged to a neighbor and this was the next step. Thanks again!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Good. Happy it's helpful. Enjoy the restoration and I hope there aren't too many things to trace down.

[@sleepchamber]

Excellent advice! Going to use it on my 72 in the morning. Thanks!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

I hope it helps you out. Good luck!

[@RestorationObsession]

Don't forget - you need to close the doors when you do this because the door switches close when the doors are opened. And, if your car is a 1976, you probably have an anti-tamper switch under the hood at the firewall. Make sure your hood is closed, or that switch may also give a false short at the battery. I'm not sure about that, but better safe than waste a bunch of time.

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

You're right. All circuits running through the fuse box need to be off. Otherwise the test won't show where the parasitic loss is occuring.

[@165alice1002]

Thanks, my 75 has a short that drains it. I presently have a battery cut off switch installed but would like to find that short.

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Once you get it down to a specific circuit, then trace each branch of the circuit to find the issue(s). Mine were the clock and radio.

[@tomb5396]

I'm in same boat, 75 Killed 2nd new battery. Complete restoration and can't even joy the car!

[@michaeljacobson8237]

Brilliant!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Thanks Michael.

[@matthewwalker7024]

Great tip! thank you for posting

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Thank you for your comment!

[@RafaMorfLuos]

Hi Mike. I am just wondering, 2 years and 10 months later, have you finished this job to determine which of the 3 devices it actually was that was draining your battery? (Lighter, Courtesy Light, or the Clock) If so, did you make a video explaining exactly what the procedure was? Thank you!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Hi Larry, I've addressed the symptoms so far by installing a battery shut off switch. The courtesy light switch on the drivers door jam is broken so that is the obvious starting point. The clock power wire is disconnected (clock is right 2x a day). Thanks for prodding, I do need to get to the bottom of this.

[@RafaMorfLuos]

@@MikeHammill-TheShop lol yes twice a day even unplugged ;) I too shall unplug my clock wire temporarily and as well, my courtesy light switch is faulty on the passenger side. I will look into that. Actually never thought about that being the problem, but think it is very feasible. I too bought a battery shut off switch, I will have to install that. I seen your video on it. Thank you for your time and dedication. Have a great 2022.

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

@@RafaMorfLuos thanks Larry. Have great 2022 too.

[@olanilsson4806]

Hi! I am Ola from Sweden and maybe u can help me. I have a 1970 corvette and i put a steering column from a 1973. Is it ok to Do that or must i changes any wire? Thankfull for help Ola

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Hi Ola! Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to your question. If you can find wiring diagrams for a 1970 and a 1973 you may be able to determine this. May I also suggest that you ask this question to a Corvette Owners group. I have learned a lot from these sources. Sorry I could not be more helpful. Good Luck with the car!

[@KaiserWilhelmIV]

Yea but it may not be a fuse. How can you end on just "its a fuse", perhaps the video goes into how to find out if it's the alternator, or something else. Also, explore some options on aftermarket equipment that may stop the drain like a battery on off switch, or MSD ignition option to boost spark to engine especially a 7.4 litre. I think you need to redo this video to include mire options

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

You're right! Its not the fuse. I didn't mean to leave that impression. it is something in the circuit from which the fuse was removed. I did another video on stopping the parasitic loss with a cutoff switch.

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Check out this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qF6snYlphpZ-bsU

[@JasonLee-lv7tm]

I agree this video sucks completely

[@houseofthediamond8191]

ITS THE CLOCK!!!

[@MikeHammill-TheShop]

Yep! It's that circuit! The clock is right twice a day... 🤣