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'96 Z71 Starting Problem


treez2
06-15-2009, 02:36 PM
Have a '96 Z-71 350 with an erratic starting problem. Every once in a while after sitting all night it won't start. Sometimes it tries to turn over but most of the time there isn't enough battery to do it. Have had alternator and battery checked three places and all say both are good. Typical alternator charging voltage is 13+ to 14+ volts, and it seems to vary the longer I drive. Typical? Resting battery voltage 11+to 12+ volts. Seems that over a few days the resting battery voltage drops ever so slighty every day, however, at times it almost seems that it is random. Battery drain is 160ma. Is this too much? This always happens after it sits all night, never shortly after being driven. HELP! Will be out of town and will look at form again on 6/16. Thanks.

maxwedge
06-15-2009, 07:13 PM
160 ma is excessive, but with todays modules, they can take up to 20 minutes to " go to sleep" You must check the draw after say 20 minutes using a non-contact ammeter, if you disconnect the cables to check the draw you wake the modules again, so the normal draw may show.

treez2
06-17-2009, 11:32 AM
Thanks mw.

I don't have a non-contact meter. With the low draw can I hook my meter in-line and wait for the module to "go to sleep?" I would like to try that before I start pulling fuses.

Thanks,

tz

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