[5177]

I have a 2003 350 trx 4x4 and my battery keeps going dead.I was wondering is there a way to test to see if the motor is charging.I have a multimeter but don't know what settings and where to test.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. With the ATV running, check the voltage at the battery. Set the meter on "DC Volts". You will be looking for a reading of up to about 14 volts, so set the range to the next highest number above 14 on the volts setting.

 

[5177]

thanks bud.my meter has DCV 1k,200,20,2,200m.which of these?

 

[Helmut]

thanks bud.my meter has DCV 1k,200,20,2,200m.which of these?

Set it on DCV 20.

 

[5177]

btw if it aint the charging system what could it be.I put new brushes in starter.when I put the battery on the charger it starts the bike perfectly.is there a way to test the battery?

 

[Helmut]

btw if it aint the charging system what could it be.I put new brushes in starter.when I put the battery on the charger it starts the bike perfectly.is there a way to test the battery?

You can test the battery by doing a load test on it, but you will have to have a battery tester.

BTW, you need to have the battery fully charged when checking the charging system at the battery or you won't get an accurate reading on the meter.

 

[ostrx250]

welcome revid you are in good hands

 

[5177]

thanks guys,will test it later.

 

[Redracer]

Autozone or any other auto parts place will test a battery, usually for free.

 

[5177]

got 14.3v when I tested the motor.I just had to start motor and put red/positive and black/neg leads from meter to battery posts right?

 

[Helmut]

got 14.3v when I tested the motor.I just had to start motor and put red/positive and black/neg leads from meter to battery posts right?

Yep, sounds like it's charging fine. You may have a bad battery or a short somewhere pulling power from the battery.

To test if you have a short pulling power, unhook the positive cable from the battery and get a 12 volt test light. Touch the probe part of the test light to the positive battery post and clamp the alligator clamp to the positive cable. Make sure the key is off. If the test light, lights up, you have something shorted pulling power from the battery.