I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited.

Recently I left my headlights on and my battery died. I was in a remote area and fortunately got assistance from a local. This person has jumper cables, but very thin and cheaply made. They did nothing as it started to rain. As we began to scurry around trying to beat the rain, we decided to remove the battery and swap his battery into my vehicle so I could start it, then swap them back. My vehicle started, but it runs at a very low idle. We swapped out his battery and installed my dead battery, as the rain began falling harder. We reinstalled his battery in his vehicle. I returned to my vehicle and found that the vehicle had stalled, presumably because the dead battery cause a significant drain from the alternator and because if the low idle, the vehicle stalled. We quickly made the swap one more time. This time he recommended that I stay in the vehicle and increase the RPMs to keep the vehicle running after the swap. Success, the vehicle started and I was able to keep it running.

HOWEVER: I realized that I know have to following situations:

1. Headlights do not work.
2. Instrument cluster lighting does not work.
3. HVAC is completely inoperable.
4. Brake Light is illuminated.
5. Antilock brake light is illuminated.
6. SRS light is illuminated.
7. Fog lights do not work.

I have checked the fuses under the hood. They seem to be good, but there is also very low voltage through the fuses associated with the above.

Tail lights work, brake lights work.

Is there a common fail point, considering that there was probably a power surge that caused this.

Thank you!!

 

What is your current battery voltage engine off and engine running (if you can measure at idle and at higher RPM)?

 

Battery voltage engine off: 11.85, although it seems to fluctuate as high as 12.5

Battery voltage at idle: 12.6, although hit 14 something once, quickly.

Battery voltage high idle: 12.6, I am not able to manipulate the probes, so one voltage.

I may have just discovered something. The internal fuse block, under driver's side of dash, has a 15a fuse in the number 1 slot. See attached. The items protected by this fuse include the AC ECU and rear wiper motor, which I determined was also no longer functional. I pulled this fuse and it appeared damaged. I swapped a 15a fuse from fog lights and there was a click and it blew. I also did a continuity check on the fuses, and they are blown. It would seem to be connected to the problem. Now I know that there is a short. But where?

 

Based on the voltages you describe, your battery is bad - engine off voltage should be around 12.6v. Additionally, you may have problem with the charging system (alternator). Charging voltage (engine running) should be about 14v. You're not getting that. It's possible that it is related to a bad battery, so I'd suggest to replace the battery first, then check to make sure your charging system is operating properly.