battery going dead issues

[JoelH]

here's one for you.

when I have my car sitting in the shop, my battery goes dead in like 2 days. I've had to move some things around and the car has been sitting outside for the last week. I haven't touched it since last Friday (1 week). I went out today and it fired right up. That just baffles me. I got to thinking about it and really the only difference quite possibly is that when it's in the shop, typically, the key is in the ignition. Outside, I pull the key and bring it in the house with me. Do you think it's possible, that something is wrong with the ignition and the key is creating the "bridge" in power to deplete the battery?
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'62 Gulf Blue Ragtop Bug
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[Erik G]

I wouldn't say there's something wrong with it, it may be by design. You have a side marker car (good looking car BTW), and the way that originally worked was key out and direction selected energized the grey ignition wire to turn on the side marker (a very low wattage bulb, so it was ok overnight). This was mandatory on small streets in Europe at that time.

I would theorize that by having the key in it's making an electrical connection that switches to the grey wire when you take the key out. In Europe, it was illegal to leave keys in the car, also they required steering column locks years earlier than anyone else.

Probably just fine, don't leave the keys in the ignition.
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[JoelH]

it's possible you're referring to my notchback. I actually am referring to a '67 Fastback that I picked up recently. I guess I didn't say which car in my original post, so I apologize. someone replaced the ignition in the fastback at one point and the key now has a plastic end on it. I'm going take my multimeter and do some checking to see if I get 12v on the metal part of the key when it's in there. If i do, I know I have an issue. I've also been told to check the wiring on the alternator. They upgraded that at some point and eliminated the regulator under the back seat. I need to trace some wires and see what they did there. I'll report back with my findings.
_________________
RED RIVER VW CLUB---www.redrivervwclub.com


'60 DD SWR Panel
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2522353#2522353

'62 Gulf Blue Ragtop Bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420720&highlight=

'60 Black RHD Beetle
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6478591#6478591

1965 Sea Sand L568 Notchback
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8307805#8307805