Voltage Drop Test

The following operation will require a voltmeter accurate to (0.10) volt. Before performing this test, be certain that the following procedures are accomplished:

• The battery is fully-charged. For the proper battery charging procedure, refer to BATTERY, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
• The battery has successfully passed a load test. For the proper load test procedure, refer to BATTERY, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
• Fully engage the parking brake.
• If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, place the gearshift selector lever in the Park position. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, place the gearshift selector lever in the Neutral position and block the clutch pedal in the fully depressed position.
• Verify that all lamps and accessories are turned off.

1. Remove the spare tire cover to gain access to the battery. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the battery negative terminal post. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the battery negative cable terminal clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct the poor connection between the battery negative cable terminal clamp and the battery negative terminal post.
2. Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the battery positive terminal post. Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the battery positive cable terminal clamp. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct the poor connection between the battery positive cable terminal clamp and the battery positive terminal post.
3. Using a suitable jumper wire, connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery negative cable terminal clamp and a good clean ground on the engine block. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the transmission housing. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, perform steps  4 and  5.
4. Connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery negative cable terminal clamp and the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the vehicle body. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the vehicle body. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the battery rear negative cable. Refer to CABLES, BATTERY, REMOVAL .
5. Connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the right front strut tower and the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the transmission housing. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery negative cable eyelet terminal connection at the right front strut tower. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the battery front negative cable. Refer to CABLES, BATTERY, REMOVAL .
6. Using a suitable jumper wire, connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery positive cable terminal clamp and the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery positive cable eyelet terminal connection at the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, perform steps 7 and  8.
7. Remove the right front wheelhouse splash shield to gain access to the battery positive cable bulkhead outside terminal. Refer to SHIELD, SPLASH, FRONT WHEELHOUSE, REMOVAL . Connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery positive cable bulkhead outside terminal and the starter solenoid B(+) terminal stud. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery positive cable bulkhead outside terminal connection. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the battery front positive cable. Refer to CABLES, BATTERY, REMOVAL .

   Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

8. Remove the right front carpet to gain access to the battery positive cable bulkhead inside terminal. Connect the voltmeter to measure between the battery positive cable terminal clamp and the battery positive cable bulkhead inside terminal connection. Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the Start position. Observe the voltmeter. If the reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten the battery positive cable bulkhead inside terminal connection. Repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace the battery rear positive cable. Refer to CABLES, BATTERY, REMOVAL .