Electrical: Battery Issue ?

[geojerry]

Drove the 78 Avanti II earlier this week. No issues.
Parked in the garage and shut off. Noticed a clicking noise
Coming below the driver side window wiper. Stopped after 10 sec.
Next morning my 2 year old battery dead. Tried to recharge.
NO go. Pulled battery and exchanged for new Bosche. Installed
And car ran fine. Battery gauge showed ok on instru panel.
Parked and heard that clicking noise again. Checked all elect
Switches in car, glove box etc. All off. Noticed that the auto
Trans lever had a lit small bulb showing in Park. Would not
Go out. Next morning, same thing. New battery dead.
Recharged ok and car ran fine. Parked and same scenario
Again this morning.

Any help in this would be appreciated. Could a failing voltage reg
Cause this?

[BobPalma]

As you've figured out, Jerry; this is not a battery issue; it's a battery drain issue.

Whatever is making the clicking noise is likely a relay trying to open when the ignition is turned off. If that is so, the relay is obviously not opening, leaving a circuit energized that is supposed to be dead when the key is turned off, thus draining the battery. It must be something fairly major to pull it down completely overnight.

I don't profess to have enough knowledge of post-Studebaker Avantis to help you beyond the above. Perhaps someone more familiar with them will post as to what that relay might be. BP

[bob1944]

one quick check disconnect the battery 's ground then put a test light between the battery post and ground with everything turned off, if you get a light start disconnecting thing till the light goes off and more than likely you have found the short. Works most of the time.

[Gunslinger]

This happens occasionally on cars when there's a problem with the windshield wipers...the circuit breaker is tripping. Maybe a bad wiper switch or a problem with the wiper motor and wiring. Check the wiper switch that it's fully off.

[rodnutrandy]

Above replys are good , easiest way is after finding their is a short, pop 1 fuse at a time and see if short goes away, May not find it,due to a short that drains battery over night should blow a fuse. the item giving you trouble may go thru a relay or circuit breaker and not a fuse.

[geojerry]

Ran the wiper and turned off. Not the problem.
My battery charger has an alternator tester. When I ran,
Error code appeared stating Alternator is bad. Not sure
About this but could a fully charge Battery sitting idle
With engine off go dead overnight from a bad alternator ?

[wolfie]

Ran the wiper and turned off. Not the problem.
My battery charger has an alternator tester. When I ran,
Error code appeared stating Alternator is bad. Not sure
About this but could a fully charge Battery sitting idle
With engine off go dead overnight from a bad alternator ?

Yes, the regulator can stick. I am guessing the reg is built into the alternator on a 78. Disconnect the plug from the alt and see if that stops your drain. Steve

[WCP]

A bad diode in the alternator can drain the battery.