help, my battery keeeps going dead

PKRWUD · 09-09-2001, 07:41 PM

Mach1-
A short that is strong enough to drain your battery will cause the test light to be bright, whereas the current required to maintain the clock in your radio would barely light it, if at all. A test light typically requires an amp or more to light up normally, while even the old dash mounted dial clocks didn't require more than 1/8th amp. With newer vehicles having more and more relying on the battery when the key is off, you are almost guaranteed to get a dull light with the test lamp, but a bright light is absolutely a short (or a closed circuit that is supposed to be open). Removing the fuses one at a time until there is a noticable difference follows naturally. This process will save you hours when trying to find an unknown short!

Take care
~Chris

------------------
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09-09-2001, 07:41 PM	#12
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Mach1- A short that is strong enough to drain your battery will cause the test light to be bright, whereas the current required to maintain the clock in your radio would barely light it, if at all. A test light typically requires an amp or more to light up normally, while even the old dash mounted dial clocks didn't require more than 1/8th amp. With newer vehicles having more and more relying on the battery when the key is off, you are almost guaranteed to get a dull light with the test lamp, but a bright light is absolutely a short (or a closed circuit that is supposed to be open). Removing the fuses one at a time until there is a noticable difference follows naturally. This process will save you hours when trying to find an unknown short! Take care ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: JimPorterRacing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!