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Car pretty much dead this morning

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Old 12-28-2012, 11:48 AM
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Default Car pretty much dead this morning

Last time I drove it was Wednesday, it seemed just fine. Alternator charging, etc. Came out this morning, 3.9v at the battery. When I unhooked the car, I see 5v at the battery. It'* on the charger now, but is that supposed to be (drop when hooked) or is something causing a draw here? Where should I start? The only things hooked to it were the cellphone charger (which is always there even if cellphone is not, never caused issue before) and I've had ABS issues before, which now I've pulled that fuse even though ABS and Trac lights have stayed on consistently.
Old 12-28-2012, 12:12 PM
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Something is stuck and drawing amps. It'* going to take some hunting, but here is how you do it.

https://www.gmforum.com/trouble-shoo...w-test-293647/
Old 12-28-2012, 12:37 PM
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Hrmm, I did what your thing there says, under ohms I selected "2000k", it gave me a reading of "1" on the display?
Old 12-28-2012, 12:42 PM
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This is the model Multi-meter I have, tell me if I did something wrong or what I'm supposed to select: Craftsman MeterSupport.com
Old 12-28-2012, 01:00 PM
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Looks very much like mine, and I had mine set to 2m. Try that.
Old 12-28-2012, 01:12 PM
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I don't have a "2m" setting it seems. I'm not really good with this thing other than reading volts...uhh can you look at the manual for it quick (at that link), tell me what setting exactly I want to use and where the leads should be plugged in? (some call for com port). I'm off to work in 20, I'm gonna pull the cable at work so it doesn't die there incase there'* an issue.
Old 12-28-2012, 01:48 PM
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your meter should be on amps dc, and you have to move the red cable to the other port
Old 12-28-2012, 02:06 PM
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Ack, I'm sorry, I messed up. It needs to be set to 10amps DC Black lead in center, red lead on right side, set to 10aDC. And you should be all set.
Old 12-29-2012, 08:04 AM
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Ok, I'll try that in a little bit. I just went out after leaving it hooked up normally last night, and there was 12.8 at the battery, car started right up. I think it must have been the trunk light or something, rather strange. I will however do that test because I want to see if there is a draw somewhere. I also left the fuse removed for the ABS unit.
Old 12-29-2012, 08:55 AM
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Could be a sticking relay. It'* one of those things that will show up when you least need it.


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