1999 DODGE RAM jump start terminals

PA R ASIT IC L O AD E XPLA N ATIO N & T E ST P R O CED URES

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
Parasitic Load Explanation & Test Procedures
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
This article is provided for general information only. Not
all procedures apply to all makes and models.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The term Parasitic Load refers to electrical devices that
continue to use or draw current after the ignition switch is turned to
OFF position. This small amount of continuous battery draw is
expressed in milliamps (mA). On Ford Motor Co. and General Motors
vehicles produced after 1980, a typical Parasitic Load should be no
more than 50 milliamps (0.050 amps).
Vehicles produced since 1980 have memory devices that draw
current with ignition off for as long as 20 minutes before shutting
down the Parasitic Drain. When Parasitic Load exceeds normal
specifications, the vehicle may exhibit dead battery and no-start
condition.
Follow test procedure for checking Parasitic Loads to
completion. A brief overview of a suggested test procedure is included
along with some typical Parasitic Load specifications. Refer to the
GENERAL MOTORS PARASITIC LOAD TABLE chart.
TESTING FOR PARASITIC LOAD
INTRODUCTION
CAUTION: Always turn ignition off when connecting or disconnecting
battery cables, battery chargers or jumper cables. DO NOT
turn test switch to OFF position (which causes current to run
through ammeter or vehicle electrical system).
NOTE: Memory functions of various accessories must be reset after
the battery is reconnected.
The battery circuit must be opened to connect test switch
(shunt) and ammeter into the circuit. When a battery cable is removed,\
timer circuits within the vehicle computer are interrupted and
immediately begin to discharge. If in doubt about the condition of the
ammeter fuse, test it with an ohmmeter prior to beginning test. An
open fuse will show the same reading (00.00) as no parasitic drain.
Begin test sequence with the meter installed and on the 10-amp scale.
Select lower scale to read parasitic draw.
TEST PROCEDURE USING TEST SWITCH
1) Turn ignition off. Remove negative battery terminal cable.
Install Disconnect Tool (J-38758) test switch male end to negative
battery cable. Turn test switch knob to OFF position (current through
meter). Install negative battery cable to the female end of test
switch.
2) Turn test switch knob to ON position (current through
switch). Road test vehicle with vehicle accessories on (radio, air
conditioner, etc.). After road test, turn ignition switch to LOCKED
position and remove key. Connect ammeter terminals to test switch

2) Connect voltmeter positive lead to negative battery cable
clamp. Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post. Crank
engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage is detected, repair
poor contact between cable clamp and post. Perform same procedure to
positive battery post and cable clamp.
Ground Connection Resistance Test
Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post.
Connect voltmeter positive lead to engine block, near negative battery
cable grounding point. Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If
voltmeter reading indicates more than 0.2 volt, repair poor ground
connection or replace ground cable.
Starter Ground Connection Resistance Test
Connect voltmeter negative lead to negative battery post.
Connect voltmeter positive lead to starter housing. Crank engine and
observe voltmeter reading. If voltmeter reading indicates more than 0.
2 volt, repair poor starter-to-ground connection.
Positive Battery Cable Resistance Test
1) Remove starter heat shield (if equipped) to gain access t\
o
starter solenoid connections. Connect voltmeter negative lead to
starter solenoid battery terminal and voltmeter positive lead to
positive battery post.
2) Crank engine and observe voltmeter reading. If voltage
reads more than 0.2 volt, correct poor connection between battery
cable and starter solenoid or replace positive battery cable.
SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST
NOTE: Perform SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST before testing starter relay
and starter relay circuit. Ensure A/T is in Park position or
M/T is in Neutral position and parking brake is applied.
1) Disable vehicle ignition and fuel systems. See
DISABLING/ENABLING IGNITION & FUEL SYSTEMS.
2) Ensure battery is fully charged. Ensure solenoid
connections are not loose or corroded. Remove starter relay from Power
Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to PDC cover for proper relay
location. PDC is located in engine compartment.
3) Connect a remote starter switch or jumper wire between
starter relay socket terminal No. 87 and positive battery post. See
Fig. 1 or 2. If engine cranks, solenoid and starter are good. Go to
STARTER RELAY TEST.
4) If engine fails to crank, or if solenoid chatters, check
wiring and connectors from starter relay socket to starter solenoid
terminal. Repair any loose or corroded connections. If engine still
fails to crank, remove starter and proceed to SOLENOID TEST under
BENCH TESTING.
STARTER RELAY TEST
NOTE: Perform SOLENOID CIRCUIT TEST before testing starter relay.
Remove starter relay from Power Distribution Center (PDC).
Refer to PDC cover for proper relay location. PDC is located in engine
compartment. Connect 12-volt power source to starter relay terminal
No. 86 and ground terminal No. 85. See Fig. 1 or 2. Using ohmmeter,
check continuity across starter relay terminals No. 30 and 87. If
continuity is not present, replace starter relay.

STARTER RELAY CIRCUIT TEST
NOTE: Perform STARTER RELAY TEST before testing starter relay
circuit.
1) Ensure battery is fully charged. Remove starter relay from
Power Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to PDC cover for proper relay
location. PDC is located in engine compartment.
2) Connect a jumper wire between starter relay socket
terminal No. 30 and terminal No. 87. See Fig. 1 or 2. If engine does
not crank, go to SOLENOID TEST under BENCH TESTING. If engine cranks,
go to next step.
3) Turn ignition on. Check voltage between ground and starter
relay socket terminal No. 30. If battery voltage is not present,
repair open in circuit between starter relay socket and battery. If
battery voltage is present, go to next step.
4) Check voltage between ground and starter relay socket
terminal No. 86 with ignition switch in START position and clutch
pedal depressed (if equipped with M/T). If battery voltage is present,\
circuit is okay. Go to step 6) if equipped with M/T or step 7) if
equipped with A/T. If battery voltage is not present, repair open in
circuit between ignition switch and starter relay socket (A/T) or go
to next step (M/T).
5) Unplug wiring connector from clutch position switch
mounted on clutch pedal bracket. Connect jumper wire between clutch
position switch connector terminals. Recheck for voltage at starter
relay socket terminal No. 86 with ignition switch in START position.
If battery voltage is present, check clutch position switch adjustment
(if applicable). Adjust switch as necessary. If switch adjustment is
okay, check clutch position switch. See CLUTCH POSITION SWITCH TEST.
If battery voltage is not present, repair wiring between ignition
switch and starter relay socket as necessary.
6) On M/T models, connect voltmeter negative lead to starter
relay socket terminal No. 85 and positive lead to terminal No. 86.
Turn ignition switch to START position and depress clutch pedal. If
battery voltage is present, starter relay socket ground circuit is
good. Replace faulty starter relay. If battery voltage is not present,
repair ground wire circuit.
7) On A/T models, connect voltmeter negative lead to starter
relay socket terminal No. 85 and positive lead to terminal No. 86.
Ensure transmission gear selector is in Park or Neutral position.
Ground circuit runs through Park/Neutral Position (PNP) switch or
Transmission Range (TR) sensor on transmission. Turn ignition switch
to START position. If battery voltage is present, starter relay socket
ground circuit is good. Replace faulty starter relay.
8) If battery voltage is not present, check PNP switch or TR
sensor for loose or damaged connections. Also, check ground to PNP
switch or TR sensor. Repair as necessary. If connections and ground
are okay, check PNP switch or TR sensor. See PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION
(PNP) SWITCH & TRANSMISSION RANGE (TR) SENSOR TEST.
PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION (PNP) SWITCH & TRANSMISSION RANGE (TR)
SENSOR TEST
NOTE: Transmission Range (TR) sensor may be also known as
Park/Neutral Position (PNP) switch or Park/Neutral switch.
NOTE: The following test is for Caravan, Ram Van, Ram Wagon and
Voyager with 3-speed transmission. All other models are
equipped with a Transmission Range (TR) sensor. If TR sensor
or sensor circuit is defective, see appropriate NTC test in
appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article in ENGINE PERFORMANCE
section.

Transmission Overdrive Switch (A/T Models)
See TRANSMISSION under MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS.
RELAYS & SOLENOIDS
RELAYS
A/C Clutch Relay
A/C clutch relay may also be referred to as A/C compressor
clutch relay. A/C clutch relay is located in power distribution center
at driver's side front corner of engine compartment, near battery. If
problem exists in A/C clutch relay or wiring circuit, a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) will be stored in Powertrain Control Module (PCM)\
.
See DTC P0645 in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay
ASD relay is located in power distribution center at driver's
side front corner of engine compartment, near battery. If problem
exists in ASD relay or wiring circuit, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)\
will be stored in Powertrain Control Module (PCM). See SELF-
DIAGNOSTICS - JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.
Fuel Heater Relay
1) Fuel heater relay is located in Power Distribution Center
(PDC) next to left battery. Refer to PDC lid for relay location.
Remove relay and note terminal identification on relay. See Fig. 3.
2) Using ohmmeter, check resistance between terminals No. 85
and 86 on relay. Resistance should be 70-80 ohms. If resistance is
within specification, go to next step. If resistance is not within
specification, replace relay.
3) Using ohmmeter, ensure continuity exists between terminals
No. 30 and 87A on relay. If continuity exists, go to next step. If no
continuity exists, replace relay.
4) Using ohmmeter, ensure no continuity exists between
terminals No. 30 and 87 on relay. If no continuity exists, go to next
step. If continuity exists, replace relay.
5) Using jumper wires, connect terminal No. 85 to negative
side of 12-volt power source and terminal No. 86 to positive side of
12-volt power source. Using ohmmeter, ensure no continuity now exists
between terminals No. 30 and 87A on relay. If no continuity exists, go
to next step. If continuity exists, replace relay.
CAUTION: DO NOT allow ohmmeter leads to contact terminals No. 85 and
86 on relay when checking resistance.
6) Using ohmmeter, ensure continuity now exists between
terminals No. 30 and 87 on relay. If continuity exists, disconnect
jumper wires from relay. If no continuity exists, replace relay.
NOTE: For additional information on checking wiring circuit for
fuel heater relay, see TEST NTC-1: NO TROUBLE CODE TEST MENU
and TEST NS-SEL: NO START TEST SELECTION in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS
- JEEP, TRUCKS & RWD VANS article.