apparently, all three of my dodge/ chrysler products have this similar problem, a parasitic short. this particular type of short does not cause the fuse to blow, but, slowly drains the battery over time. how long is dependant on how strong the battey is. It's kind of like leaving a small light bulb on. With a digital volt meter you can see the voltage slowly drop. The clue to this problem is apparent when you connect the battery cables to the battery terminals and you see a small spark. By disconnecting the negative cable and connecting a test light(non-self powered type), one side to the cable head, and one side to the battery post , the test light bulb will light(come on). Pulling the fuses one at a time, and leaving them out to completely eliminate them from the equasion, the suspect circuit can be identified. When the faulty circuit fuse is pulled the test light bulb will go out.
this is the extent of my ability to locate the short. Now I guess I will start to unplug every switch, component, bulb, ect. until the offending short is found. I'm not sure if thats the proper course of action, or not, but its all I can think of.
apparently, all three of my dodge/ chrysler products have this similar problem, a parasitic short. this particular type of short does not cause the fuse to blow, but, slowly drains the battery over time. how long is dependant on how strong the battey is. It's kind of like leaving a small light bulb on. With a digital volt meter you can see the voltage slowly drop. The clue to this problem is apparent when you connect the battery cables to the battery terminals and you see a small spark. By disconnecting the negative cable and connecting a test light(non-self powered type), one side to the cable head, and one side to the battery post , the test light bulb will light(come on). Pulling the fuses one at a time, and leaving them out to completely eliminate them from the equasion, the suspect circuit can be identified. When the faulty circuit fuse is pulled the test light bulb will go out.
this is the extent of my ability to locate the short. Now I guess I will start to unplug every switch, component, bulb, ect. until the offending short is found. I'm not sure if thats the proper course of action, or not, but its all I can think of.
- Gerardo R., Hammond, IN, US