[bstiger]

My brother has asked me to take is 1984 C4 It has under 16k miles and has never been out in the rain. He his looking for a good home for his baby.

He tells me there is a short in the car, and the battery runs down if it is parked for a while. Not sure how long a while is, but he clearly thinks it is abnormal.

He has had a “mechanic” give him a story about an endemic problem with the boards in the dash warping and shorting out. Sounds like a good story, but I haven’t been able to find any epidemic.

Is battery draining a common problem with C4? Has anyone had this phantom dash circuit board problem?

Thanks for the help Bob.

 

[SealBeachCA]

I haven't had this problem. It could also be a small light somewhere staying on that's draining his battery. If he can't figure out the problem itself, he could install a battery cut switch. They're cheap and is a good temp. fix. You basically install that onto the battery and when you're not driving it, you turn the switch that cuts the power off to everything. Nothing will drain battery at that point.

There's one possibility. I'm sure someone will come along who can help you out more thoroughly.

 

[bstiger]

That should fix the problem

A switch would fix the problem if there is not an internal short in the battery. I may do just that until I figure out where the current draw is occuring.

I like your thought about a light.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[dans87vette]

The early C4's (like I have, 87) are fuse, short, batterie draining nightmares. They are definitely full of electrical gremlins. It may be sick, but I've been kinda enjoying the journey of finding all of mine. Most don't seem to be real costly, just a challenge to find the sources of the problem. I'm asuming the 1984 has a similar VAT system as mine, that would be the first thing to take out of the system since no one is really out to steal 1980's vettes anymore and the fact the VAT system can be a nighmare.

GO TO WWW.VATSSUCKS.COM to start making your vehical more enjoyable. It's all worth it because these cars rock other than the few electrical grimlens.