Hey!

I've had my 69 chevelle for over 10yrs and for the first time she's got me stumped...theres a sever battery drain and I cant figure it out...I took the battery to autozone,they tested it and all is well with it...I installed a new alternator and external regulator...changed the pos./neg. battery cables and it has an MSD ignition.

Over the summer she broke down on me(different problem but may have something to do with the drain,now)),I found the problem was the distributor cap and or wires(changed both)...I removed the cap and found that the msd ign. put holes(i believe) in the tops of the brass studs on the cap...

I charged the battery up over night on a 2amp charge...she started fine the next day...I took the car for about a 10mi ride,got back to the house and she wouldnt start back up...it was like the battery had drained already.

The only other things I could think of is the distributor itself or something is up with the starter?...Im stumped,any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jack

check the red heavy ga. wire that runs from the junction block by the battery directly across the radiator support for cracks, ect....think it is for the headlight or horn circuit...this happpened to mine several years ago. paid an auto electric place about 80 bucks to splice on a new piece of wire...felt like an idiot afterwards...worth a look-see..

Might try doing a google search on parasitic battery drain although a parasitic drain usually runs the battery down when the car is parked, not while driving it.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237542

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drain

http://www.ehow.com/how_2249402_find-parasitic-battery-drain.html

http://flashoffroad.com/electrical/CurrentDrain/currentdrain.pdf

http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules/batservice/118.html

Jack,
When the car won't start, will the lights work?

I'd say that without measuring the voltage on the battery with the car not running, and running (charging), as well as somehow verifying that its drawing current with the key off, there's no way to begin to determine what the problem is.

It sounds more like a lack of charging when running than a drain to me.

Also, I doubt that overnight on a 2A charger will provide a good charge on the battery. Probably enough to start the car, but I'd say a few days and nights on a little charger for a car battery.

Just my opinions...