how do you use a multimeter to test draw on a battery. correct me if im wrong

multimeter (neg lead) --> Neg battery cable (not connected)
Multimeter (pos lead) --> Pos Battery terminal

Multimeter set on DC amps highest setting.

Should show no more then .01-.05 with car off and nothing on, all doors shut.

is this right

 

You connect the meter in series with one of the cables. One meter lead to disconnected neg battery cable, other meter lead to neg terminal on battery. Positive lead connected normally.

 

yes. like rob said.. an analog meter is wht I prefer.. but yeah. you should not see much more thenhalf a volt at the most. I have seen anywhere from .01-.45

 

If your getting a high amp draw try slowly unplugging fuses to see which circuit is causing the drain.

 

Be sure to set you meter up to read amps or miliamps, and set the leads up accordingly. Most meters will have different places to plug in the test leads for volts, ohms, and amps.

anyhow, remove either one of the battery terminal and place the meter in between the cable you disconnected and ther battery terminal where the cable was.

in other words, if you disconnect the positive, place the ammeter between the positive lead and the positive terminal.

do not try to start the car with the meter in the loop, at best it will blow the fuse in the meter, worst....blow up the meter.

 

OK i got the new battery and tested the draw on it and it went from .01 -.40 never going above that. is that fine or should it not go that high. any reasons why it would jump like that.

 

If you draw is only .4 miliamps, this is only .0004 amps, which is not very much at all.

be sure doors are closed, lights off, key not in ignition etc. etc.

You will have some draw through:

Radio (memory for presets and time)
Keyless entry (works with key off doesn't it?)
Alarm system (works with key off doesn't it?)
Stereo amps (main power cable)