multimeter for car

[ayeshakhan3]

I want multimeter for my car that can handle a variety of tasks such as
measuring voltage,
current,
resistance,
possibly more advanced features like diode testing and continuity.

I am searching on a website, but I can't decide what to order.

 

[danadakk]

Excellent Klaus, as you confirm, not one measuring device handles all issues,
as all the posters have discussed in prior posts. Eg. utility of use and measurement
capability.

Almost forgot some versions of these had Neon bulbs in them to detect ignition
V's (the presence of V >> 12 V. That I would not do with simple DVM and standard
probe.


Regards, Dana.

 

[KlausST]

Almost forgot some versions of these had Neon bulbs in them to detect ignition
V's (the presence of V >> 12 V. That I would not do with simple DVM and standard
probe.

Come on.
Again: The OP asks for a multimeter. He did not ask for something fancy or special. Which multimeter (that´s what he asked for) is useful for ignition tests?

If you want to test ignition ... why not also analyze the various high speed busses, a lamda sensor, a knock sensor, a thermocouple for exhaust temperature?
All can be done .. but not with a multimeter the OP asks for: Voltage, current, resistance...

Klaus

 

[danadakk]

Klaus, again, what a great job you did in post #20, a clamp meter for high current, although
it cant do battery current crank amp/s under load, like post # 8. Your recognizing, like rest of
posters, one DVM cant do it all. And exposes OP to the greater variety of tests and testers
that can, and are, used in vehicle work.

Good job Klaus, good job ! Same to Dick for confirming what several of US know, simple solutions
also have a place.

All this aligns with OP reaching out for solutions and

I want multimeter for my car that can handle a variety of tasks such as
measuring voltage,
current,
resistance,
possibly more advanced features like diode testing and continuity.

I am searching on a website, but I can't decide what to order.

"Possibly more advanced features"......

Knight.

--- Updated Aug 7, 2024 ---

Almost forgot :
thermocouple

If you want to test ignition ... why not also analyze the various high speed busses, a lamda sensor, a knock sensor, a thermocouple for exhaust temperature?
All can be done .. but not with a multimeter the OP asks for: Voltage, current, resistance...

Many multimeters have thermocouple capability : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...kUuJl4Rh&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

 

[barry]

Hi,

What is unknown?

Voltage .. in a car. DC 12V nominal. So even a 30V range will do --> every multimeter I know can
Current .. here an information about the range really would be useful. But in any case no multimeter I know is desgned to measure starter current. One would rather use a clamp meter for this.
Resistance .. in a car. 1 Ohms (maybe less) up to 100k --> not hard to find. Most multimeters can
Diode testing .. car or not does not matter --> not hard to find
Continuity: can be done with diode test

We don´t know the values .. but we know the application. So we already know a lot.

Klaus

Totally agree. OP PLAINLY asked to measure voltage, current and resistance, and people STILL keep stubbornly insisting that a light bulb is a valid solution.
There is a tendency on this board for people to go on about something they know a lot about, rather than actually answer the question at hand.

 

[pjmelect]

If you want a multimeter for in car use consider one with a backlight or emmisive display, it can be hard to see the display on a LCD in a car due to either high background light or little light at all.

 

[danadakk]

Totally agree. OP PLAINLY asked to measure voltage, current and resistance, and people STILL keep stubbornly insisting that a light bulb is a valid solution.
There is a tendency on this board for people to go on about something they know a lot about, rather than actually answer the question at hand.

People are NOT INSISTING on anything, but they are INSISTING that classic light
bulb in probe is a well used tool for troubleshooting some issues, like continuity (power)
to a bulb or LED. As is DVM, as is Clamp Meter, as is battery load tester, as is protocol
analyzers as is code readers as is...... good mechanics use them all.

The OP by now has a greater knowledge base as a result of all the disclosures and
recommendations.

 

[ayeshakhan3]

Excellent Klaus, as you confirm, not one measuring device handles all issues,
as all the posters have discussed in prior posts. Eg. utility of use and measurement
capability.

View attachment 192905

Almost forgot some versions of these had Neon bulbs in them to detect ignition
V's (the presence of V >> 12 V. That I would not do with simple DVM and standard
probe.


Regards, Dana.

yup u guys are right thank u so much

 

[ayeshakhan3]

Really??? Please don’t work on my car’s electrical system.

yes plz

 

[hiphei]

I have a brain defunctioning issue here, but i imagined the op was looking for a separate multimeter from workshop to keep in a car where he could use it if his work gig (like onsite repair tech) required the measurements he specified.. meaning compared to workshop, the conditions are quite a bit different... ..anyway..i've never had any problem with any fluke multimeter i've used..but the same goes with any other brand multimeter too except all of the cheap ones. As for a hobbyist the cheapos too can be really useful, and won't break your bank when you accidentally measure current from your car battery.. however i've seen them get confused near switching supplies and do all kinds of other ugly behavior..so for real work no go.. has to be some reputable brand..i get fluke..for no reason other that i'm used to..

 

[std_match]

I recommend a DC current clamp multimeter. Then you don't have to disconnect anything to measure currents.
Example: