testing a car batteries terminals with a DMM with continuity setting- beeping!

Submitted: Thursday, Sep 13, 2012 at 10:39
ThreadID: 97989 Views:5582 Replies:4 FollowUps:9
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Hi

I have been having a few issues with my vehicles aux battery staying charged- need a new one ive decided!. I have a 140A isolator under the bonnet and a second battery in the tub of the rodeo. I also have a solar regulator and a hard wired 10A 240v charger installed in the canopy.

My second battery wasnt holding charge so i started to look over the system, got the multimeter out and checked for voltage, checked the isolator for continuity and switching etc. I came accross that there seemed to be continuity between the + and - points but only when the + leads were touching the - points on the car (earth etc) but the beep sounded different, not as pronounced. no matter where i checked. I thought- ah ha..... i have a short. I completely isolated the aux battery, regulator and charger and tested it again at the isolator- still continuity????

I disconnected the isolator and checked directly at the main battery (still connected to the vehicles wiring etc) and there was still continuity??? i started the engine and it stopped. turned the engine off and it started again????

Is it normal to have some continuity between + and - ? or at least some low resistance or similar? enough to triggered the multimeter to indicate a circuit?

Why would it only happen when the + lead of the DMM is on the - points (i didnt think it would mater as it was only testing for a circuit)? and not the other way around


The chime was a lower tone and faint (nothing in DMM instructions to explain the difference)

I was thinking it may be detecting the circuit of the ECU, clock or even the red flashing led on the dash.

Is someone able to clarify this? Do i have a big problem?

Thanks for any help.

doey
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