I bought a battery for my Ford Explorer about 6 years ago and think it’s dying on me. When I turn the key all I get is repeated clicking, dash lights flashing and doors locking/unlocking. I inspected and cleaned & tightened the battery and connections and the starter connections. The starter is almost brand new. I haven’t tested it yet but I’ve got a small electronics multimeter that will give me a voltage reading but will only read amperage up to ~1500 mA.
What do I do to test the battery here in my driveway?
What are the voltage and current levels I should expect if the battery is still good?
What kind of voltage/current meter would you Gus recommend for this?
Hope to hear from anyone with suggestions or advice out there. Stuck with a dead car right now so the sooner the better. Thanks.
[quote=“rs8843829, post:1, topic:99154”]
What do I do to test the battery here in my driveway?
What are the voltage and current levels I should expect if the battery is still good?
What kind of voltage/current meter would you Gus recommend for this? [/quote]
Any DVM would work. You can get one that plugs into the lighter socket for about $12 at Amazon.
with the engine off, battery should read 12.3-12.6.
With the engine being started, should read above 10 volts.
Engine running, alternator working, should read 14-15 .5 volts.
You can’t read any of the currents, they are too high for your meter.
He certainly can test voltage with that small test meter, he just can’t test amperage. If you get a reading of 10 to 10.5 volts with the car not running, you have a dead cell in the battery and it is shot.