Beginners guide on using electrical multi-meters for autos 

I'm an I.T. tech, but I hate to admit that all I knew about electricity before this video was the acronym AC/DC LOL 🙈🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦🏻‍♂️so I really, really, really appreciate this very thorough & ez to follow video!! 👏🏼😎 Imho you would make a great instructor (if that's not what you already do for a living). I just got me a multimeter for the very same purpose explained in the video (testing if the alternator is properly working before I take it to shop) and now I have a very good idea on how to use it!! Thank you very much for sharing!! Be Blessed!! 🙋🏻‍♂️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the first video that has taught me how to use my new multi- meter. Didn't have any kind of instructions with it when i bought it new. Thanks👍.

Thank you Bob. My step father recently passed. He raised me from 1 yr old. He was auto mechanic and auto upholstery professional. Had his own shops off and on most of his life. I miss him greatly. As do my 13 other siblings. I woulda went by his shop and got the same tutorial from him. Like I did for anything and everything. His name was BOB. Thank you again.

Thanks so much for this great video. I'm 74 years old and have never known how to even begin to use a muti-meter(although I own 2). Thanks again for showing us the basics!

Thank you! No longer intimidated by my multimeter. Great tutorial

When he's checking the AC voltage in the house, the reason he inserts the probes with one hand is so if something happens, the charge is confined to that hand (if you are not grounded) instead of going from hand to hand which includes your heart. You don't want that. Now RU-vid's auto bot will bury this comment deep in the 373 previous comments so no one will ever see it.

5 years later and this is still helping people. Informative and clear explanations! Thank you.

Perfect. Was asked by a supplier of a 12v charger to run a test. Had no idea what they were talking about which led me to various youtubes. This one nailed it for me. Easy to understand and very informative. Thanks this was PEREFECT

Hi diesel giant- I have to test some relays in my car (04 Honda civic EX coupe) and did some googling to re-familiarize myself with my multi meter since I haven’t used it in 3-4 years. I just wanted to say that there’s a crap ton of videos out there on this stuff, especially when it comes to power window switch/motor/regulator troubleshooting- what I’m searching) and your video is by far the best at going over the basics of the multi meter. A lot of RU-vid channels don’t realize that they’ll say “ok and then switch your multimeter to DC for voltage” but don’t explain about the difference between dc and ac voltage (like the fact that you will never use AC for your auto, etc), and they also don’t explain perhaps what number you should be using (20 vs.200, etc.). I just like the fact that you as a teacher DON’T AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME that we are going to know those things! So many videos don’t describe what they are doing and why. There’s also the other end of the spectrum- there’s the long videos where it takes forever for them to get to the point (I’ll literally fast forward until I see them actually pick up the multimeter 🙄) I just wanted to say that for a 20 minute video instruction I watched the entire thing, and you did a very good job at giving the basics in a CONCISE manner, without skipping over things you don’t realize may not be obvious to all of us. So thanks for this video!!!

I am just beginning with a test light and because my dad used to incorporate a multimeter into everything, dc and ac, I knew I needed to learn how to use one. Wow, you made it so easy to understand and I can see that I will have to take each part of my car and it's testing one step at a time, first learning the volts as well as resistance, to do a proper diagnosis. Thank you.

I love the illustration that you show it was clear until the point self-explained the way you demonstrate how it works that was excellent

Thank you sir for your very clear instruction in the proper use of the multimeter, your ability to impart complex information so clearly and conscisely is highly impressive.

I’ve got an electrical issue in my Humvee. I can’t tell you how helpful this video has been. This gives me the confidence to check my battery and my wires. Thank you.

Thank you sir! Professor showed us this today but he didn't explain it at all. I'm a beginner in all the techie techie stuff, coming from veterinary into marine engineering so I appreciate your videos ALOT! Much love from Europe :)

Thanks a heap for your tutorial. Many times I have asked for help and everybody holds the meter and starts yakking and I miss the whole thing. I now understand how to use the meter. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain it so that a guy like me could understand how to do it.

You sir are a fantastic teacher...very clear and concise, thank you for this,

Great explanations and teaching. I was completely ignorant and even afraid of this tool. You have the knowledge and expertise of a master teacher. Now l feel informed enough to go get this tool and find out if my alternator is working ok. God bless.

One of the simplest and educational clips first use of multimeter. Thankyou.

THANX 4 MAKING THIS VIDEO TUTORIAL. I NEEDED THIS SINCE I HAD TO BUY A MULTIMETER TO TEST MY ALTERNATOR & BATTERY. TOP MARKS MATE 👍👍👍👍

I had no idea how to use a multimeter when it comes to anything. Now I know the basics of what to do when it comes to my car. So thanks for the help, its not as hard as it seems lol

Great video, you kept this really simple for beginners. Your practical real life examples were excellent

Thanks a million!! You are right, it is quite intimidating and just like you said, I look at all this setting and numbers and all i do is acratch my head because I dont know where to start or to be more honest "I dont know how to use it" and your video is the best and easiest to understand and to be honest with you I feel unstopable tedting everything around my truck and check one outlet in my house( I check the wires on my multimeter for safety)... thanks buddy I really appreciate it.

I watch a lot of videos, you may be newer at this but your one of the best forward. Thank you/k

That was a good introduction to using a multimeter. Thanks Bob

Awesome video! I bought a multi meter several years ago but never used it because I didn't know how. After watching your video, I feel confident enough to put it to use now. Still too chicken to use in my electrical socket though, so I'll stick to using the lighted plug in type for that. Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial.

Thank you for this video. You made things very easy to follow. I have been having problems with my VW Beetle batteries and now I know how to rectify the problems with your clear instructions. No mechanic is going to try to hoodwink this independant Beetlebug owner any more!

My Chevy van has some electrical gremlins that cause a battery drain. This video gives me confidence that I can at least attempt to figure it out such as if the alternator is good. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Much easier than trying the small print. Very informative & well presented. Now I will use it. Had it for months

Thank you so much for explaining about positives and negatives. That was one of my biggest concerns to deal with this meter and NO ONE on youtube explained it well like you did! So thums up for you

I just want to say thank you for taking time to make this video. I seldom bother to comment of YT vids but this was worth taking time to log into my account just so I can say thank you and I appreciate your clear video. Good good video

Teacher, Excellent video, very good, I learned a lot, I will be searching for more. thanks

Thanks to your video explaining the settings on a multimeter, and another video using an inexpensive multimeter, I was able to located the source of the electrical drain causing the perfectly good battery in my truck (with a good alternator) to go dead after a couple of days of not driving it. Prior to watching your video I only used my multimeter to check the voltage of household type batteries. The simplicity of your explanation made it easy, with mine in hand, to follow along as you explained the various settings and uses. Your video was just as the title says that it is.... Thanks.

The best video on this subject that I've found. Clear and simple. Thanks!

Very informative easy to follow thank you very much great job. Great to see it explained so simply and to be used in action I am a first time multimedia user thank you very much

Thank you I need a real quick refresher on how to use the multimeter to check a car battery problems in 20 years since I use a Multimeter to check car battery so I just need to make sure I was on the right settings thank you very much very important very very clear you make sure that every point was touched on that way we would not make an error definitely good idea to mention not blowing fuse because a lot of people do that but like I said I have a battery tester my battery tester took a crap so I had to go back a multimeter anything 20 years to use one so thank you thank you thank you very very much the refresher and very informative very very to the point that you make sure every point was touched on thank you very much you will learn a lot from this

Excellent presentation...no longer intimidated! Thank you!

Many thanks to you for taking the time and patient on making this great video. You make things easier for us as beginners and teach us in how to use a multi meter. Much appreciation. Thumbs up

Thanks diesel giant, I just purchased a multimeter and was quite bemused by the complexity, especially with the Chinese instructions that didn't make sense. You've made it a lot more simple. 👍

Very good. Thanks! Now I think I'll pull that meter I bought a few months ago out of the box.

Very complete video. Everything I had doubts about or did not know was covered. Thanks. That will stop the fuses blowing in the multimeters I have.

Great Video! & Demostation!! Thanks, totally eliminates the guess work for any Job... 👍

Munchas gracias! Took the nerve wrecking headache 🤕 from my instruction booklet that came with my multimeter. Thanks

Thank you as a first time user i found this video really good, i have still to keep on learning but you have given me the help i needed to want to go on , A very big thank you.

Likewise, no real instructions with my meter and I have no experience using one. Thank you.Thiswas really clear.

Awesome video I had a grounded amplifier in my car I figured it was a good place and I had sanded it down but after learning this I was able to get a great ground it was so crazy cause before I was getting weird power surges and now my system sounds clean and car running really good ....thank you so much for this video

Thank you, that was very helpful. Never used one before but now very confident in using it.

I can’t thank you enough. Man, this video was so well presented with great details. Thank you, Sir!!!!

The.best.teacher.who.knows.to.give.green.ligh.to.beginners.thañks

Thx you so much for explaining how to use a multimeter .Very clear and concise :)

Thanks for this video, I began working on cars as a young kid many Many years ago in the early 70's, by the late 70's I could rebuild every part of an American Auto except the Transmission, Between high school football, Baseball & Track, I wasn't able to focus on Transmissions, Now I own a couple of Ford Thunderbirds, one is a 1977 & the other is a 1988 both have 302 engines, The 88 has a few more electronics than the 77, But I can appreciate the benefit of using this tool, Thanks a bunch.

Great Video. I have blown fuses trying to learn how to use my meter and now I see why.

i like the way u explain' simple and direct, easy to learn; Thank you

Great video for beginners like me. If you do not know which holes to plug the wire leads into simply look at the screen and plug your wires into your meter the same as they are in the video on the meter.

Excellent, simple , you dissolved the intimidating part. Awesome thank you

Great video clear and easy to follow, I’ve got a car that I’m restoring will be confident enough now to check the wiring.

Great video! Voltage drop can be another very useful method to test starter connections, grounds, you name it. Take any electrical path (ie. battery cable) and connect one probe to point A (ie. battery) and the other probe to point B (ie. post on starter) and crank it. If you show 2 volts while cranking, thats 2 volts thats not getting to the starter. Sometimes you can show very low resistance with the meter, but have enough resistance to starve a device. I need to use this method between my cab and my battery with all my accessories on to find an existing ground issue.

Thank you for your tutorial . Your style of explaining the use of this equipment is excellent for beginners. I will be check your videos for more useful information.

Best intro video I’ve found. Covers all the bases of the basics.

Thank you for a very informative video as I now have the basic understanding to do a job I need to do.

Very well explained everything about multimeters and many thanks for your dedication in this video.

Thanks a mill man! I went from how the hell do I use this? To wow that's easy! Thanks again.

Great explanation with emphasis on Safety First! 👍🏼

Thank you so much. I just brought me one and tomorrow I’m going to test it out. It’s an innova auto ranging digital multimeter 3306a and its hands free design

You are a very good teacher I have learnt some things from your video

great video i am very proud to use my multimeter now

Yes, I do feel intimidated. But you made the video very descriptive and easy to understand. Thanks, so much. Thumbs-up!!

This video is informative and explained in a precise and simple way. Great video.

Thankyou!! You just saved my van fridge decal - my van looks awesome super pleased 👍

Great illustrations I am now very confident. Cheers for that.

great my multimeter was also an old one and it not really the same as the modern ones this video helped a lot

I'd like to view a record of you utilizing the principles in this "101" tutorial in more complex situations that would be typical for various troubleshooting & testing methods

Thank you very much. This was very helpful to me.

Excellent video. Well thought out and explained, really good examples too. I'll be putting what I've learned to practice right away 👍🏿

Great stuff. We appreciate you sharing your knowledge and explaining clearly.

i have an entry level centech from harbor freight your video is very easy to understand thanks for a little insight in how to use.

Very good explanation on the DC side of the multimeter, Thanks

Thanks very much I had no idea how to use my brand new mercury mtm01 multimeter Thanks very much really good video appreciate it

Great lesson man. It was straight to the point, and informative. Thanks!

awesome thanks, i can never remember how my multimeter works, great tute.

Thanks for help. You video gave me hope to use a meter

Great Video.... You Truly Simplified The Use Of The Digital Multi meter.... I Think I'm Ready To Buy One, Thanx 🙌

Thank you !! I have the same meter and was never sure how to use it, Now I do.

video was helpful I am first time user with the mulitmeter thanks

Good video.Need to know more. Continuity etc.Keep going More videos.

Great Vid. As an electrical Noob I would have liked to know where the red and black cable went into the multimeter.. But your video made that clear too.. Thx and keep up the good work!

He forgot to talk about testing for circuit continuity. The multimeter has a 9v battery inside it and can send a current through the wires to see if there is a break in the circuit. The position is there on the dial. Also you can check whether a power supply exists between 2 points in a circuit - by putting the red probe into the live wire or on a live terminal (with a power supply on) and the black probe to a good earth or ground.

these instructions are guiding new learners

great video man. just got one and had no clue how to use it but I wanted to learn

Much much appreciated. Thank you much for your time, effort and intention :-)

Great and clear instruction how to use a multimeter’s

Excellent Video for Beginners, Thank You!!!

Great video. I watched a ton of videos this is the only one i understood. Great job man.

thanks for explaining the multimetre as I was only guessing and not even knowing what I was guessing so thank you.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THIS TOOL, S FUNCTION FOR BEGINNERS; I LEARNED! SOMETHING

Great multimeter tutorial video! Thank you...

I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge Thanks. God bless!

Thank you for your tutorial; it help me find answers.

Thanks for the video,it is helping out with our repairs.thanks again

Thank you for your overview of the Multimeter. I appreciated your clear instruction on testing the battery of a car. If I might suggest more videos, I would suggest a real in depth video of just one section of the multimeter per video, and maybe focusing on one subject, such as testing fuses to see if they are good. In another video you might show how to test relays, and so on. I've heard you test auto fuses with the Olms section, and I've ALSO heard you test with the DC voltage section. So that's confusing. If a video maker tries to tell you there are three ways to test fuses, that's super confusing. It might help to tell everyone the simplest way, and leave the other ways for another video. Also, NO ONE tells you if there is a positive or negative side of the tiny auto fuse. Same with small components of other kinds. No one tells you whether you can put the test leads on either side of the fuse, or any other component. But this is just one example of how confusing it can be for a beginner, and the instructor may assume everyone knows these things! But I know for a fact, people generally don't want to show ignorance. And they can get taunted for their ignorance. Me I don't care. I'm ignorant and really appreciate anyone remembering the total beginner state, and explain things extremely basically, so we can feel confident in testing auto fuses, relays, for shorts in wires. Etc. You did a great job showing how to test the auto battery and check whether the alternator is working also. But if there is a short, it could leech out the battery charge, right?? What other things could leech out the battery charge? I'm dealing with two vehicles now, which go dead pretty fast even after the battery is fully charged up, and even my mechanic seems to not have a good handle on this... I'm stuck at home til God (and You Tube) helps me figure out my own electrical problems. And that's why we need to know exactly how to really test for our vehicles wires, our fuses, our relays, etc. God bless you for helping the folks. We are in your debt! Thank you for your kindness in making these types of videos.

easy to understand. thanks, now I know how to use it and I can work on my car