because other than a clamp on ammeter for high current situation, I always have to hook the ammeter in series with the voltage source.

Not the voltage source at 13+ volts is causing any problem but it's the potential for large current with the possibilty that would fry my cheap multimeter or ammeter that I don't like.

I have *NOT* done it as I avoided doing it. Maybe someone has tried it can post. You can always try Pep Boys... if you trust them doing the work.

However, here is what I would do if I really had to do it.

- Turn every electrical devices off in the car, lights, radio, etc.

- Unhook the ground cable to the battery (I think using the ground side is safer than the hot side), since we are measuring current this shouldn't make any difference).

- Set your multimeter to the *highest* ampere range available, if you are using an auto-ranging multimeter, make sure it can take a large current and has an inline fuse.

- Hook up the meter in series with the battery terminal and the ground cable, i.e. connect the meter with one end to the battery ground and the other to the ground cable.

You should get a small current reading because of the radio, clock and the ECU among other things. If no reading, lower the current range until you get some sort of reading. This reading would be your idle current draw when "nothing" is on (other than the clock...etc.)

**DO NOT OPEN any door or turn the key to ignition position while you are doing this as this would dramatically increase the current draw and could exceed your meter fuse rating and fry your favorite multimeter.

Anyone who has done this please post ? How about it "patprice" ? You must have done something like this.

posted by 216.206.240...

• 94cs Stranded Again, Yaofeng, Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:17:29
  • Re: 94cs Stranded Again, Yaofeng, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 08:45:07
    • Re: 94cs Stranded Again >>>, SuoTimo, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 10:53:11
    • Do you have another battery you can put into..., TKC, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:00:34
      • Re: Do you have another battery you can put into..., Yaofeng, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:14:48
        • How about measuring the drain on the battery when..., TKC, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:27:19
          • Re: How about measuring the drain on the battery when..., Yaofeng, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 10:04:01
            • I've never grown to like measuring current....., TKC, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 10:43:49 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Brake light switch maybe?, KeithR, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 07:30:22
  • My guess would be the battery as well...n/m, aeroblues, Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:56:26
  • Sounds like the battery., Quasi, Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:52:04

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: Front end/bumper damage -- how painful?($$), df, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 10:37:13
• Next by Date: Re: With all due respect for you inovators, I'm looking, sm333ace, Tue, 27 Aug 2002 10:43:54
• Main 9000 Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)