imported_echien

Some of you already prob know this but i was just about ready to buy a new battery when I went to Canadian Tire and they tested my current one and they said it was fine.

Man that saved me $80 bucks. Only problem now is I have to keep searching for what's drawing my power...:fustrated

Whiplash

there's a way of hooking up to the battery to show that there's a draw (don't remember off hand tho how..)
then just start pulling fuses one at a time Ed..when the draw is gone, you've found yer problem..

imported_loudsubz

Multi Meter Marty

hehe 3M

Just put it in series with your + terminal and measure to see if you have any current draw.

imported_Team Rukus

if u got a system that might be a problem.
If not then i think ur alternator needs checking probably it aint chargin.

imported_loudsubz

Even with a system you wotn have a problem if its wired properly. As long as the amp isn't on whent he car is off then you should be fine.

Use a multi meter and measure the voltage at the battery whent he car is off, then turn it on, there should be about a 1v jump or so.

So like around 12v off and around 13 volt on. If it doens't change ur alt isn't charging.

imported_gatherer

I have a multi meter that can be used to see if there is a current draw on your battery. pm me

imported_jaysi

I recall reading somewhere that if you start for car and disconnect the battery, your car should continue to run. If it shuts off it's a sign your alternator is bad.


Not sure it that is true or not...anyone else have any comments?

imported_echien

That makes sense, your car should make more power than it draws.

I hate electrics, it freaks the heck out of me, 1 to get shocked, 2 ruining the car.

I had an initial problem with my battery dying and then my alarm went on the frits.

I think the two problems are unrelated. I first thought that my alarm was drawing power from my battery.

Then I filled my battery up with water and I also noticed that some of the liquid in it was frozen.

I got the alarm fixed (mechanical problem) and the battery was tested AFTER I filled it up with water.

I'm going to try to let the car sit for a few days without starting it and see if it dies again. If it does....


:working:
Gotta love cars with character!

cee_mon

when my battery was almost dead it did have a problem starting and stuff....but last night i just got a new battery and all the problems are gone....car starts no problem and alarm works perfect again. I did take my old battery to Canadian tire and they said it was shot......84 dollars later i got a new battery.

Falcon

I use to have this issue with my old Vette...

Here is what I did to trouble shoot

Diconnect the possitive lead on your battery and then hook up the multimeter inbetween the lead on your batt and the wire to your car... now if you have a voltage running across this at this point you know for sure you have a draw somewhere. Alternately you can hook up a 12V light bulb or buzzer in the same fashion so you can trouble shoot wiring etc while you work. You can test the alternator by disconnecting your positive battery lead and your car should keep running. If it stops there is an issue with the alternator or wiring from the alternator to your battery. Also check that your ground lead is tight on the battery and that the leads are clean!

Hope this helps some

imported_gatherer

by pulling the positive and connecting a multimeter between the positive terminal and the positive wire you will want to check for current flow not voltage if you check voltage the reading should read 12 V because the whole load is the multimeter, check for current flow if it's above 0 then there's something loading the circuit.

electronics technologists are your friends.

imported_loudsubz

You mean current right

imported_loudsubz

Current draw will be very small for the clock to run, but that will be in MA, and very small load, you will not get exactly 0.0000000000 amps.

Falcon

Sorry current MY BAD

imported_gatherer

yes thats true you won't have exact 0 but in electronics there is alot of rounding off of numbers.... so if you got like 20 MA for the clock to run which is very small and not always seen if the meter is in the 10 amp range.

GrEeNcIvIc

if some of the liquid was frozen that may be the problem. water wont carry energy as well if it is frozen, will it?