Electrical Problem

[mkramer84]

My 2004 GS500 won't start.  I have a good battery but when I turn the key it is like the battery is not even hooked up.  It is.  I checked the connections.  They are clean and are definitely connected.  I figure it is probably a wiring issue as it was sitting in the weather for awhile before I got my hands on it.  Any idea if this is an easy fix? 
Thanks!

[HPP8140]

1st check fuse.

under right side tail cover.

[mkramer84]

Ha.  I would have felt dumb if that was the case.  I had not checked that.  It is good though.  20 amp fuse.

[Big Rich]

Might be time to bust out the multimeter. Follow the volts from the battery and see where they stop.... I'd guess the ignition switch is either unplugged or faulty.

[Slack]

Are you sure you checked the actual fuse and not the spare (it's a mistake A LOT of people have made).

[mkramer84]

I did check the actual fuse.  At first I checked the spare then said wait that actually isn't connected to anything and checked the actual fuse. I think I just screwed up reading the battery.  I jumped it and it started fine but when I disconnected the cables it didn't work.  So....I guess the battery is dead.  I have a multimeter and I thought I knew how to use it but I guess not.  I am assuming if I jump it and it works fine, it is the battery that is dead.  Am I correct in thinking this or am I missing something simple?

[mkramer84]

I know I probably sound like an idiot asking that question but I am new to this.  Trying to figure everything out.

[Slack]

Figure out how to use that meter, but yes; it sounds like a new battery is at least part of the solution, if not all of it. The only issue you may run into is if something is wrong with you charging system and it killed that battery than it will kill the next too if you don't figure out what's wrong. Then again, it could just be a dead battery.