[alfa] Elizabeth's battery drain problem

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, this discussion does come up every so often, but feel some fresh 
and very good information has been added this time. I especially liked 
Rex Chalmers step-by-step test procedure and printed it out...just in case.

I have to agree with him regarding that brake lights are often a 
problem. However I'd add that the rear lights in general are often 
mucked up pretty badly. Often the wrong wires are plugged into the wrong 
places, bad grounds are common, and it is not uncommon to have a "new" 
wire going to the backup light.

Whenever I remove an engine / transmission I always test the backup 
light switch along with the wires coming from it. I don't believe I've 
ever found a bad switch but the thin (16, maybe 18 gauge) wires are 
woefully inadequate. They're close to the exhaust, they can get rubbed 
and of course short out, and are invariably hard as rocks.

I definitely have to disagree with Richard Hiatt regarding battery 
location. Even though there is a considerable extra length the 'smoke" 
has to travel to get to the starter, it is living in a so much better 
environment. A battery sitting 4 inches from the exhaust manifold is not 
my idea of good placement. Worse yet, batteries are not at all 
attractive so should not be allowed "pride of place" in an engine bay - 
though aesthetically I suppose it could be worse - the spare tire in my 
old Fiat 128 Sport Coupe was in the engine bay.

The battery box in the trunk of my '75 Alfetta GT is absolutely 
pristine. I've never figured out how people manage to get all that green 
stuff on their batteries. Except for a light smear of special grease 
(believe it's called Vaseline) on the original battery cable clamps and 
an occasional look inside to check the water level, the batteries keep 
chugging along until they die of old age.

Just the other day did find one especially bad thing regarding the rear 
battery platform in client's '79 Spider. Damn 195/65-14's won't fit 
under the tray even after bending the lip back.        
Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
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