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Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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BunnyStrider
New User
Sep 13, 2011, 3:55 PM
Post #1 of 9
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Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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1998 Grand Marquis
Engine from newer model like 2003
over 225k
leave car overnight, battery dead in morning.
I have recharged the battery
tested the battery
tested the clips' continuity: good
I can't remember volt readings but they were like 12.5 off and 15-17 while running whatever the readings should have been
tested the clips' resistance: (the circuit of the car, no battery connected) 8.1 ohms
the guide i was following said it should be more like 150
With the battery connected I disconnect the red + terminal and clip the black test lead of my multimeter to the clip and my red multimeter to the positive battery term.
I Set my multimeter to 10Amp and get no reading; at 200ma I do not get any reading.
It is not the fuse in the multimeter.
When i connect the multimeter in series, I can't even get it to spark or anything.
If the answer is I'm not connecting how do i get a solid connection to my battery? Is there any other reason i might have a 0 amp reading other than it's not connecting?
(This post was edited by BunnyStrider on Sep 13, 2011, 6:00 PM)
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zmame
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/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2011, 4:36 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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In order to test for parasitic (un-wanted) load you need a amm/multi meter set it to AMPS you will need to put the positive lead in the 10A MAX or AMP slot on your meter. Turn everything off in the car, close the door.. if the hood has a light bulb remove it. Put the positive leak on the battery terminal and negitive lead on the clamp you disconnected. By doing this your putting the meter in series with the circuit.. Assuming the internal fues in your meter is not blowen you should get a reading.. it can take aprox 20 mins for all the modules to go into sleep mode.
After 20 mins you reading should be below 50ma (0.050a).
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BunnyStrider
New User
Sep 13, 2011, 6:02 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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I've edited my original to show that I've already tried putting it in series and that's the problem I'm stuck on.
I noticed that the black cable going to the starter was really hot when connected to the battery for a while, maybe the car had been on...I'm thinking it could just be the oldness of the wires connected to the battery...does this sound reasonable?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2011, 6:40 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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No, that doesn't sound reasonable. If you suspect any draw when the vehicle is shut off, then you need to run the test that Z suggested and get a draw reading before you move onto anything else. If you suspect a problem with the meter hook up, then just open a door to see if it responds.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Sep 13, 2011, 6:42 PM)
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re-tired
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Sep 13, 2011, 6:49 PM
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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You seem to be having trouble getting a grasp on the use of a multi meter. I will tell you of the old school way . Granted its not the most technical way. But in a car such as yours it will do .Once you have fixed the car you can learn the meter way without having to hurry. Take a 12v testlight . Unhook the ground cable from batt. hook one end of test light to cable andf the other to the batt ground post. . Now touch the cable to the batt post for a minute and pull away, the light must stay connected during this This puts the keep alive circuits to sleep. . Light should be out .IF not you have a draw or drain. Have helper hold door switch in while you pull and reinsert one fuse at a time . when test light goes out you will now which circuit the draw is on.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2011, 6:54 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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OH RT, RT....... we have to go there again.........LOL
This is an ongoing disagreement between experts here.
The problem with this method is that it does not measure quantity of draw and there will always be some draw normally, even on your vehicle so the light will never go out and the test will be inconclusive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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re-tired
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Sep 13, 2011, 7:03 PM
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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FIVE minutes HT ....your slipping . Do the test , the light will go out .
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 13, 2011, 7:05 PM
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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I'm watching TV while I'm typing and it took a minute to get the notification...................LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 17, 2011, 7:45 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: Can't get amp Multimeter reading to test for shorts
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What someone should invent is a test light with a built in amp meter. That would end the debate.. 
The amp meter would measure the amount of current flowing through the lamp. You won't have to worry about blowing out the amp meter because the light will always act as a load. If the lamp where to somehow short out, there could be a fuse to protect the amp meter.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 17, 2011, 7:48 AM)
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