Re: [DML] Battery not charging

["Dave Swingle" <swingle@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Careful how you say that - you don't measure current "across" the 
battery. If you set a meter to measure current and put it across the 
battery you'll see fireworks. You need to put the meter in series 
with the battery, i.e. between the battery and one of the power 
cables. 

Anyhow - I agree that a properly working car can sit for quite a 
while without running down the battery. I never disconnect mine 
except when parking the car for the winter, and it will occasionally 
sit for a month hooked up and I notice no problem with it being 
charged. 

On an unmodified car, the most likely cause of excessive current 
drain is the original lock module. It can fail in a way that it still 
works, but leaks current much more than it should. I have no 
experience with the aftermarket controllers. Other common faults are 
interior/door market lights that don't go off when the doors are 
closed.

Back to the original problem - the other posts are good guidance - 
start chasing all the ground connections, especially the one that 
uses one of the trailing arm attaching screws. 

Dave S

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Chris Almy <chris.almy@xxxx> wrote:
> 
-> 
> If your ground is good and the charging system is working 
(electrical 
> system is at approximately 14 volts while running), then you might 
have 
> something draining the battery. A properly working system won't 
have this 
> problem, so you need to do more troubleshooting. 

Try setting up the multi 
> meter to measure the current across the battery. 

With the doors closed so 
> the lights are off, you shouldn't be reading more then 40mA for a 
stock 
> car. If you are, start pulling fuses until you find the circuit 
that's 
> taking the majority of the load.
> 
> Good luck with the troubleshooting. It took me awhile, but now I 
can leave 
> my car parked for a few weeks at a time and it will start right up.
> 
> Chris
> VIN 4099








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