GreGorGy
BULLSFAN
Can I test the integrity of my car battery using my multi meter and if so how? Damn Honda didn't start this morning
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car battery test
- Thread starter GreGorGy
- Start date
D3x!
Banned
take it to a battery centre, they test for free if i recall
otherwise i think you can test with a multi-meter, it should show you 12V while off or higher while car is on
F
Fudzy
Guest
It will only tell you how much power you have at that moment, there are a lot of factors when it comes to car batteries (faulty alternators/internal issues) it's better to take it to a battery centre.
GreGorGy
BULLSFAN
Ja - I was worried about that. Problem is, being automatic, I don't want to risk getting stuck and unable to push. I'll just go straight from jump start to battery centre then.
F
Fudzy
Guest
If it's an older car you might want to think about investing in one of those portable jump-start/charger kits you get at Midas etc.
D3x!
Banned
or just a new battery, from the sounds of it it is most definately the battery, whether it is caused by old age or the alternator etc is another question though.
F
Fudzy
Guest
Well that's why I recommended the portable jumpstart kit just in case it happens in the future.
MickZA
Executive Member
Couple of months ago came out of a 10min visit to a client, turn the key - nothing, not even a starter solenoid click, although radio & hazards still worked. Fortunately there was a Supa Quik just up the road they came & tested, pronounced the battery dead and replaced it.
Never had a battery die like that on me without warning in 30 years of motoring but the Supa Quik guys say it's common with new generation batteries/electrical systems.
Never had a battery die like that on me without warning in 30 years of motoring but the Supa Quik guys say it's common with new generation batteries/electrical systems.
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Fudzy
Guest
Yeah I recently read about the reduced levels of quality in the recycling used in batteries, I'll try find the article.
pjjdp
Expert Member
Same thing happened to me at a petrol station. In my case it was the brushes in the starter. Replaced them for R55 and the A3 is starting better than ever.
Check the voltage with the engine switched off, should be about 12.6V. Get someone to crank the engine over and measure the voltage while cranking, should be about 9.6-10V+.
Check the water level in the battery (if not sealed), sand terminals & clamps to remove any corrosion.
http://chemelec.com/Projects/Alternator/Alternator.htm
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=car+battery+test&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Check the water level in the battery (if not sealed), sand terminals & clamps to remove any corrosion.
http://chemelec.com/Projects/Alternator/Alternator.htm
https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=car+battery+test&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
spiderz
Honorary Master
All battery places will test the battery for free.
In a new battery, look at Excide / Raylight or Varta makes.
In a new battery, look at Excide / Raylight or Varta makes.
GreGorGy
BULLSFAN
Almost forgot about this. Very rude of me. So, belated thanks to everyone. When I got to testing my battery at home, my multimedia - in a turn of irony - revealed its own battery to be flat. So, I got it test and that long dangly tester thing said "WEAK" when plugged and "BAD" when loaded. New battery required - and thanks, I got the Exide.
KhoisanX
Expert Member
You can't just test a car battery with a multimeter, you need to test while under load.