I have the same problem with my '88 McLaren, if I dont start it within 2 weeks the battery goes dead. I had it tested and they said there is no draw which is odd. I wonder if my switch is faulty, it does need replacing as it has broken plastic.Sandy wrote:{I will try & get this correct. As some of you know, sometimes I mixed myself up}
The 1989 & 1990 cars corrected a problem-of-sort. The problem was that a certain electrical feature was in violation of the accepted safety code that all auto manufacturers have to abide by. That code (for safety reasons) stated that no electrical features that could be dangerious were to operate after the car was turned off. Features such as Pwr. Windows, etc. Well the 1984 - 1988 ascMcLaren 'Verts violated that! It was not caught until late in the model run of 1988. For 1989 & 1990 ascMcLaren improvised a "mickey mouse fix" ..... The tonneau release button works all the time on a prior to 1989 example, but on the 1989 & 1990 a series of steps MUST be taken in order for the top to work. Items altered include the Emergency Brake lever. On the (unseen) back end of the stalk there is a button. When that brake lever is pulled up, the back of it goes down, and the button is depressed, thusly allowing the tonneau to "pop" in order to raise (or lower) the top.
Along with THAT is the fact that the ignition has to be either "on" or the car running, or both (I forget). The Tonneau cannot be Popped using the normal procedure of pushing the buttom behind the driver's seat.
To make this all run (don't ask ME, YOUR Grandma was more mechanical than I am) they ran what's been called a HOT WIRE. This sukka goes from ignition, down under console (and or) under carpeting, TO THAT switch, and then out the switch, under carpet, under console to firewall, thru firewall to somewhere near or by the battery, possibly to a fusable link.....
Therefore there is ALWAYS a "Hot Lead" ..... IF IF IF IF you were to take a 1989/1990 to a dealer or an independant shop and complain of a dead battery, they do a test and tell you you have a short, somewhere. Their meter would tell them so. Reason? There is ALWAYS an AMP draw even when all is shut down, turned off and closed up! It's that Hot Line, but they have no way of knowning.
This is the reason our 1989/1990 frequently have dead batteries, if not started for say like 2 weeks. It's sorta like leaving a illuminated vanity mirror down & in the open posistion. Like THAT kinda draw.
Now, ascMcLaren knew this and didn't want FoMoCo (hand that feeds them) to be constanly getting under warrantee (claims) for burnt out Alternators, due to the above, so they fitted the McLarens with the Marine Unit Lestik 130AMP, which they found to be the largest Alt. whose application would work and fit. When the battery is dead, that the draw continues, it kills the alternator, so that was the reason for the monster Alt.
Whew~ !!
Nick
