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patrickswendsen
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2022
Posts: 2
Location: Kansas
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 Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:48 pm Post subject: 72 Ghia frying through batteries |
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Hello everyone! New member here. I am turning to the wise for guidance after many battery replacements. Bear with me, I apologize for the length.
After getting my Ghia running (barely) in the start of 2021 with an old battery from my parked Chevy Blazer, after about two months, the battery bit the dust. Understandable. It was old and it was used very hard while constantly turning over the Ghia trying to revive it in its first week or so.
I went out and bought a new one. That worked great for a while. About 6 months later, it left me stranded. Would only start on a jump then got worse and worse to the point the engine wouldn't run properly. I replaced it, but thought that was weird.
Skip ahead two months, same thing. Battery is fried. Won't even turn the engine over at all. Then doesn't even click when turning the key. Though this time it was gradual. Like I knew it was going out. Took 10 tries to before it turns over, cross my fingers and head home.
Long story short, I'm embarrassed to admit how many batteries I have gone through. Each one, thinking I have eliminated the issue, therefore it will last, but it never does. Here is what I have done, mostly in attempt to fix the issue. I have checked and replaced the terminal cables twice, with very high quality wire. Both the ground and the lead to the starter. Replaced the ignition switch. Replaced the voltage regulator twice. Replaced the generator brushes. I realize not all of those sound like a direct possible culprit. But I'm truly at a loss.
Almost two years, and I can't enjoy the car without buying batteries every month and having to beg for a jump when I take it anywhere. Could it be bad wires? The wiring from the generator to the voltage regulator is the original wiring which appears to be fine, but is old. Today is the most recent battery death, and I jumped the car, as soon as I took the cables off all the lights went very dim and the engine wanted to die.
I'm guessing not enough power from the coil. I was so sure it was the voltage regulator. I thought it made sense, being that the first battery lasted 6 mo, and then the replacements started happening sooner and sooner. Both times got a nice Bosch regulator too. Please help I'm at a total loss!
Thanks in advance! |
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toddb_67
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2003
Posts: 1313
Location: Hansville, WA
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patrickswendsen
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2022
Posts: 2
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: 72 Ghia frying through batteries |
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| It's been a while since I've checked, but I've checked a couple times in the past and have been getting at least 14 volts. No no wires are getting hot. I'm not sure about the ground from the tranny to the body, I'll have to check. |
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toddb_67
Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2003
Posts: 1313
Location: Hansville, WA
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