What is the proper way to check a ground using a DMM? There are a few settings on the DMM (A/C, D/C, Ohms) and I want to make sure I am doing it right with the correct setting. Thanks!
Use the 'Ohms' setting, push a pin through the wire, touch the pin with one probe and the negative battery post with the other. The reading should be ZERO.
Use the 'Ohms' setting, push a pin through the wire, touch the pin with one probe and the negative battery post with the other. The reading should be ZERO.
You should be able to touch any exposed metal connected to other metal parts in the car to find the ground (i.e. bolts, exposed sheet metal, cig lighter caseing, intake manifolds, etc...), not just the negative battery post (never know if you're negative battery cable is disconnected somewhere).
So the biggest thing is that the grounds should be ZERO ohms, right? With so many settings on the multi-meter, I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. Thanks guys!
Step 1.) Find the instruction book that came with your Multimeter. Read it and familiarize yourself with how it works and how use it. If you lost the book or didn’t get one with it, do a Google search on the web to find the manufacturer’s web site & download a copy of the manual.
Step 2. ) Make sure that you know what test lead plugs into which jacks on the Multimeter. There are usually several different jacks on most Multimeters, and they have different functions. Make sure that your battery(s) in the Multimeter are good: if you have any doubts, replace the battery(s).
Step 3.) Once you are sure that the Multimeter is functional and you have the leads plugged into the jacks for Ohms ( the upside down “U” symbol), do some simple measurements to make sure that you know how to use it correctly. Set the switch to the lowest range and touch the leads together: you should not see “nothing” but you should see 1.0-0.3 ohms. Measure a 60 watt light bulb: cold it will measure about 17.5 Ohms. It you measure it while it is hot, the reading will be greater.
Step 4.) Make several test measurements using the ohms function and the DC volts function. Remember all resistance measurements must be done with the power off the circuit. This avoids false readings and possible damage to the ohmmeter.. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until you are sure that you can do it without making any mistakes.