STARTING SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

[drthrift035]

Problems:

1) I would like to know if there is an all in one instrument that I can uses to diagnose starting system problems. For instance, if I have an issue with an alternator, battery or starter. What would I use to test each component

Topic

[Matt]

Eric’s charging system vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuumBVz6WOM

Load testing a battery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QiKyjWW … ure=relmfu

Starter testing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKjdnQ0sHQc

I’m starting to find it’s way easier to post Eric’s vids than type this stuff out over and over 🙂

[619DioFan]

Couple of ways to go about this- depends on how much you are looking to spend and if this is for diy use or working in a shop. you can pick up a digital tester from a company called Midtronics , this will test the battery , charging system and starter cranking amps draw ( don’t believe this unit will do a battery load test ) amazon sells this unit for about 130.00. then you would need a seperate unit to load test a battery. for me – I use a dvom ( craftsman ) with it I can test the battery charge level ( key off ) charging system ( engine running ) and of course use it for all kinds of other electrical tests. for load tests I have a analog ( not digital ) load tester from harbor freight tools ( cost about 30.00 ) used it for years and it works well for me- it will test starter cranking amps. hope this info helps.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Quoted From Beefy:

Eric’s charging system vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuumBVz6WOM

Load testing a battery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QiKyjWW … ure=relmfu

Starter testing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKjdnQ0sHQc

I’m starting to find it’s way easier to post Eric’s vids than type this stuff out over and over 🙂

This about covers it but I would say that if you could only choose one tool I would recommend the DVOM but you’ll still need a load tester or conductance tester for testing batteries.

[Author]

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