How to test battery

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Evening all,

Am having a few issues with battery drain and saw a LR specialist today. He said he suspects it is the battery but I need to test it once the car is asleep.

Can anyone please confirm the exact procedure? Should I leave leave the car for an hour after getting out to go to sleep and then connect the multimeter? The mechanic said I need to disconnect the negative terminal before testing - is that right?

Any advice most grateful!

CB

Datatek · Nov 22, 2013

It would help if you told us what car it is.

If you disconnect and re-connect I suspect it will wake everything up again, a clamp meter would be better.

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Apologies, 2003 L322 Td6 Vogue.

Datatek · Nov 22, 2013

countryboy said:
Apologies, 2003 L322 Td6 Vogue.

Usual cause of battery drain is the final stage resistor or headlamp wipers, these can be isolated by removing the appropriate fuse.

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Thanks Datatek. The FSR has been replaced and the LR specialist said my battery is faulty but need to test it. I'm just after instructions on exactly how to test it!

Datatek · Nov 22, 2013

countryboy said:
Thanks Datatek. The FSR has been replaced and the LR specialist said my battery is faulty but need to test it. I'm just after instructions on exactly how to test it!

Go to Halfrauds and get it shunt tested.

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Datatek said:
Go to Halfrauds and get it shunt tested.

Can I do it myself?

Saint.V8 · Nov 22, 2013

Two ways....

Turn everything off, open the bonnet, leave it this way for a few minutes for the sat nav to sleep... Disconnect negative terminal on battery.

Using your digital volt meter set to DC AMPS connect the Red Lead to the battery negative LEAD and the Black Lead to the BATTERY negative terminal post.

Tbis will reawaken the car and will draw a current, after ten minutes or so the car will sleep again measure this amp reading.

DO NOT START THE CAR, OPEN ANY DOORS, TURN THE IGNITION ON AT ANYTIME DURING THIS, YOU WILL FECK YOUR METER.

the second way is to use a DC clamp meter....no need to disconnect anything then!!

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Saint.V8 said:
Two ways....

Turn everything off, open the bonnet, leave it this way for a few minutes for the sat nav to sleep... Disconnect negative terminal on battery.

Using your digital volt meter set to DC AMPS connect the Red Lead to the battery negative LEAD and the Black Lead to the BATTERY negative terminal post.

Tbis will reawaken the car and will draw a current, after ten minutes or so the car will sleep again measure this amp reading.

DO NOT START THE CAR, OPEN ANY DOORS, TURN THE IGNITION ON AT ANYTIME DURING THIS, YOU WILL FECK YOUR METER.

the second way is to use a DC clamp meter....no need to disconnect anything then!!

Perfect, exactly what I was looking for! I assume this will tell me whether the battery is draining or not? What reading should I expect??

Datatek · Nov 22, 2013

countryboy said:
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for! I assume this will tell me whether the battery is draining or not? What reading should I expect??

It will tell you what the drain is but not if your battery is any good.

wammers · Nov 22, 2013

countryboy said:
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for! I assume this will tell me whether the battery is draining or not? What reading should I expect??

Only way to properly check a battery for condition is with a shunt tester.

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Ok, thanks all - most grateful.

Saint.V8 · Nov 22, 2013

Datatek said:
It will tell you what the drain is but not if your battery is any good.

My post came after you recom. a shunt test...so is out of place in the convo....

Yes mine will test for a drain...a shunt test is something completely different...

Time it took to type out you had already mentioned the shunt!

countryboy · Nov 22, 2013

Saint.V8 said:
My post came after you recom. a shunt test...so is out of place in the convo....

Yes mine will test for a drain...a shunt test is something completely different...

Time it took to type out you had already mentioned the shunt!

Ha, no worries.

I need to check for both - am happy how to test for drains then. What is a shunt test - can I do it myself?

Datatek · Nov 22, 2013

countryboy said:
Ha, no worries.

I need to check for both - am happy how to test for drains then. What is a shunt test - can I do it myself?

No, take it to Halfrauds, they will do it free.

wammers · Nov 22, 2013

Datatek said:
Go to Halfrauds and get it shunt tested.

Bloody hell Keith the Halfrauds shut tester read out is in pound signs.

The Mad Hat Man · Nov 22, 2013

wammers said:
Bloody hell Keith the Halfrauds shut tester read out is in pound signs.

yu do talk bollox at times.

wammers · Nov 22, 2013

The Mad Hat Man said:
yu do talk bollox at times.

And you have the sense of humour of a bloody carrot.

Datatek · Nov 23, 2013

wammers said:
And you have the sense of humour of a bloody carrot.

That's an insult to carrots

wammers · Nov 23, 2013

Datatek said:
That's an insult to carrots

I would like to offer a sincere, unreserved and heartfelt apology to any carrots offended by my comments in this thread.

How to test battery

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