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1999 brava electrical short
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 26, 2010, 8:31 AM
Post #1 of 18
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1999 brava electrical short
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1999 fiat brava 1.2 16v 80,000miles
my battery drains every day or so, have disconnected the positive (+) connector and put voltage meter between the clamp and the post on the battery, reads 12v DC (so there is a short) have systematically removed all of the fuses 1 by 1 but meter still reads 12v DC, can't work out where the fault is....has lead to the car kangarooing and dying whilst illuminating the ABS light and seatbelt light....
any help?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 26, 2010, 10:23 AM
Post #2 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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I don't know what it is that you think your measuring with that voltmeter but it isn't telling you anything. You want to run that test with the engine running to see if the voltage increases to indicate the charging system is working. If you think you may have a parasitic draw when it's parked, then you need to use an ammeter for that testing. Here is how you do that.
You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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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.
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 26, 2010, 10:55 AM
Post #3 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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hammer time, thanks, but i dont quite get how u mean to connect my meter into series with the battery without ruining the meter....
i was testing it the way i was as my dad is an electrician (not an auto-electrician) and he said that would be the best way to test it....
a little more detail would be appreciated
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Hammer Time
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Nov 26, 2010, 11:19 AM
Post #4 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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That's pretty surprising that an electrician would say that. You aren't measuring anything when using a voltmeter to measure current draw. It will measure 12v no matter what the draw is.
My instructions were very clear, especially for an electrician. You have to use an ammeter to measure current draw. Your not starting the engine here, your just looking for parasitic draw.
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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.
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Elise Car Tech
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Nov 26, 2010, 3:17 PM
Post #5 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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You have a "Parasitic Battery Drain". Open the link below
Links are not allowed..............deleted
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 26, 2010, 3:51 PM)
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 4:14 AM
Post #6 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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ok, well i connected my ammeter in series and it read 0amps, i checked the voltage of the battery and it was at 13v so it seems the fault is an intermitant fault....any ideas?
also whats the need for the jump lead??
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 27, 2010, 5:48 AM
Post #7 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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What was the draw reading?
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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.
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:15 AM
Post #8 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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0.0a
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Hammer Time
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:25 AM
Post #9 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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OK, I don't know if you are just intentionally ignoring my instructions or using the wrong equipment but something is wrong with your story. All vehicles have some draw so either your blowing off my instructions, using the wrong equipment or just not reading them correctly.
If your father, the electrician is helping you, I don't under stand why your having a problem with this testing.
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:38 AM
Post #10 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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im using a Fluke multimeter, i followed your instructions, im guessing the fault is intermittant and not permanant....
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Hammer Time
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:41 AM
Post #11 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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No, even a good car will have some draw reading so a "0" reading is not possible.
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:43 AM
Post #12 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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we appreciate your help, just out of interest, my father asks:
"you say a jump lead needs to be connected in the same way as the ammeter, surely this just shorts the ammeter out and has the same effect as having the original battery cables attached to the battery itself, could you please let us know what the reasoning behind this is?"
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:48 AM
Post #13 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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also, do you have a Direct contact email address/ IM so that i can show you photos of what im doing? if you do send it to me as a private message
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 6:57 AM
Post #15 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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ok thanks alot, will go give it a go :D
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 7:30 AM
Post #16 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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right....still reading 0.0....going to try and source an ammeter that works to a more precise reading....will let you know how i get on
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Hammer Time
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Nov 27, 2010, 7:58 AM
Post #17 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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Yes, it needs to read miliamps which any Fluke should do.
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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.
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Bravaboy20
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Nov 27, 2010, 8:02 AM
Post #18 of 18
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Re: 1999 brava electrical short
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ok thanks....i don't think this one does....its quite old....
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