do i take of the positive or negative post? and then i use a 12 volt test light between the battery cable end and the post the cable came off of right? if it does not light then i have no shirt? or if i use a voltmeter how many volts should be present? thanks

 

take of the POSITIVE cable and put a test light between it and the battery post, if it lights you have a short somewhere - where is the hard part. look closely at the light, you don't want even the tiniest of glowing.

 

Best way, is a digital voltmeter. You can get one for 3 bucks at harbor frieght, and it works just fine. On a car or truck, there will be a small flow of current, due to the clock and computer, and other accesories. Some quads have clocks, so there may be a small flow of current, and that would be normal. Check the amps, not the volts, and anything over 5 miliamps should be the limit. If theres a short, itll be obvious. Do this test with the key off. Start the voltmeter at the highest amp setting, and turn it down to the more sensitive settings once youre sure the flow of current isnt high.

 

ok thanks, i have a voltmeter and i checked it last night like you said and i got like .04 volts ill check it again today and post the results, thanks for the help