Posted by Arthur P. Bloom (COBM) on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 19:26:54 :
In Reply to: Dead battery ??? posted by Roger in La on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 at 15:57:36 :
1. Get a digital multimeter from Radio Shack for under $25.
2. Put the meter switch on 0-20 DC volts.
3. Check the voltage of the battery in its weakened condition. Do this by touching the test lead points to the battery terminal ONLY, and not the battery WIRE connector that is fastened to the battery terminal.
4. Jump-start the truck, and remove jumper cables.
5. Measure the battery voltage (again at the actual terminal of the battery, not the cable connector) with the engine idling, and with the engine at 1500 rpm.
6. Turn of the engine. Measure the voltage a few minutes later.
7. Put the digital multimeter on Milliamps.
8. Turn off all lights and accessories.
9. Disconnect either battery lead.
10. Put the meter leads between a clean (shiny)area of the battery and a clean (shiny) area of the disconnected battery lead. Measure the current draw.
Wandering around in the dark looking for sparks, assuming that electronic components are "stuck", and other hand-waving will waste your time and drive you nuts.
Let us know the exact results of the above measurements. We will proceed from there.
It's just science, and easy science at that. Some of do this for a living, and it's second nature for us. We are here to help.
It's true that 99% of the time when this happens suddenly it could be the corrosion around the battery terminals. But let's get the satisfaction of finding out with real certainty, and learn a few basic trouble-shooting techniques at the same time. They will serve you well in the future.
(Flame suit zipped up and ready for incoming.)
Crusty Old Battery Man
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