Battery goes dead

[dwcars0]

My 1985 Spider works great, but if I am running with the lights on, after about an hour the battery is going dead because the turn signals get slow, then quit and the head lights get really dim. Also, the car won't restart. The alternator bench tested 14 volts, and I get 13.8 volts at the battery. The battery is new and the battery connectors and ground clamp are clean and tight. After charging the battery, its great till next time I use the lights. Any ideas?

[polevaulter999]

Sounds to me like you have a short in the positive cable coming from the battery. take out your back seat(extremely easy, just pull it out)and check your positive cable from the battery forward. theres a small bracket under the rear seat that sometimes will rub a hole in the rubber cover of the cable. if thats not where it is, check where it runs along the floor panels on the drivers side

[So Cal Mark]

a short in the positive battery cable would cause a complete meltdown of the cable and most likely a fire. Have you tested the charging system under load for both voltage and amperage?

[dwcars0]

Hey Mark, that was a post I put up in April 2007! Turned out to be a bad alternator. It would put out 13 to 14 volts, but the voltage would drop as it got hot. Got it rebuilt and no more charging problems! In regards to another post I had with you, I installed the 4 new Koni struts on my X19 and the car handles much better! I left the springs original and didn't try cutting them. Thanks. Dan

[Hvnfn]

My car has been acting up like this, only it is with the starter... let the car sit after driving it for a bit... when I go to restart it... it acts like a dead battery... will barely turn and start... at other times the starter goes into hyper where it turns SUPER fast and then it starts.... wierd. after running for a few minutes, turn the car off and restart with no problems... it is very intermittent.

[TulsaSpider]

Wow so this was a "ghost post"! Still nice to see the problem and solution!

[Hvnfn]

Turns out I have a flat spot in the starter... time for a new one.

[mbouse]

my wife thinks i have a flat spot on my head...is that time to getta new one?

[mdrburchette]

my wife thinks i have a flat spot on my head...is that time to getta new one?

From what I've seen, probably wouldn't hurt.

[Hvnfn]

Sounds about right...

[racydave]

No, you had better keep her!