How to Test a Car Battery With a Multimeter ( Voltage + Cold Cranking Amps)

bad battery or bad alternator how to tell the difference ? how to tell if a car battery is bad or dying ?

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This video has 2 parts, in pat 1, we look at

How to test a car battery with a multimeter
How to test a car battery using a hydrometer
How to load test a car battery using load tester
How to test a battery with an obd2 scan tool
How to test cold cranking amps
Car battery maintenance tips
A car that cranks but doesn't start or no crank no start situation

in part 2 i'll show guys how to test an alternator and how to tell if your alternator is bad. The main sign of a bad alternator is that the battery light will come on when the car is running. Bad battery vs bad alternator - I've seen many people fail to determine the difference between a bad battery and a bad alternator. So without guessing, here's how to properly test which one is bad. analyse the symptoms first is the best way to diagnose

Products list

jump starter

Digital Multimeter

Battery Load Tester

Battery Conditioner

jumper leads

OBD II Memory Saver

OBDII Scan Tool

DISTILLED WATER

Battery Syringe Filler

Handheld Battery Charger

Safety Gloves

Professional Battery Hydrometer

Silicone Paste

Protective Eyewear

Terminal Cleaning Brush

Baking Soda

Best Jump starter i've ever used

checkout my channel for more DIY videos like this and make sure you subscribe, so you'll never miss another video like this.

How to replace an alternator

How to find a short in a modern car fast and easy

How to use a multimeter for beginners

Music: Ahrix – Nova

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[snaprolle]

Finally, someone demonstrates how to measure voltage drop across connections. One of the best ways to pinpoint a problem. Nice job.

[hosslife]

One of the the best "How TO" videos I came across. Thank you!

[bmw-e]

A weak battery can also overheat an alternator over time as it struggles to keep it charged and you end up having to buy an alternator as well. I would replace a weakened battery immediately.

[casanovaevren]

Great presentation .my cheap voltmeter showed 12.6 and did not go below 10 volts when cranking but the car did not start .i took the battery to autozone and it was bad! Good multimeter is the best investment

[josemedeiros]

Great video and information, my only suggestion is you should make sure you fully charged your battery before doing a CCA load test.
My electronics teacher in high school in the 1980's taught us to use baking soda and water in a jar and soak the battery terminal in it for a few minutes to remove the corrosion before cleaning the terminal with a battery terminal wire brush, and he also said Vaseline Petroleum Jelly can be used to cat the terminals and help prevent corrosion, I have used it for decades, and never have corrosion issue's. I also use a Pulse Tech battery desulfator / Maintainer on my battery to reduce battery cell sulfation, the claim the patented frequency can desulfate batteries, and is used by the U.S Military on their vehicles.

[rastai]

thank you...this is the most informative video on battery testing i have seen in the HOURS of looking I've done for an answer to how you can check the CCA of a battery with plenty of voltage. great job keep it up please :-)

[allanegan]

101>909 Car Battery testing Comments say it Standard, best on Net, content & communication

[ayelleefun]

Thank you for sharing this information with us, its great to see that there people who try to help others.

[monty]

Great video! Your instructions are simple and clear. Thanks!

[hoosenkhan]

Your videos are very well laid out very informative this coming from a professional technical trainer well done keep up the good work 👌🏼

[GoogleModerator]

Thank you for making this content - I'm grateful for the knowledge you shared.

[Animal_lives_matter]

Good very thorough video.
And we should disconnect negative first and vice versa

[andrewpolzin]

Your videos are the best. Simply awesome.

[adoniscastellanos]

Thank you for all the detail info you give straight to the problem🎉

[ukgardener]

Fantastic video I’ve certainly learnt a lot. Thank you so much for sharing your video one question I do have when you’re testing the cold cranking amps do you have to start the engine? Thanks

[Ironbuket]

Thanks for making this video. Must have taken you ages.
Who else is here from covid-19 lockdown wondering how your car batttery will fair standing unused for long periods?

[james]

Good video I liked the details of like if you get 1 click then nothing it's probably a connection and the voltage drop at the terminals

[johnconyers]

Thanks for the info, but I noticed a problem at 1:46 in the video. Is it just me, or isnt the voltmeter hooked up incorrectly? You have the positive and negative terminals on the voltmeter reversed, which is why the reading is negative 12 v. Even though Australia drives on the left side of the road, I think red is still positive for you guys, right? LOL. But seriously, thanks for the info and your time in creating this.

[MIKEYSREVIEWS]

Such great videos to bad he hasn't posted for some time.

[brianhan]

Thanks man!
You are the legend! 👍👍👍