Chapter 08

OBJECTIVES
After studying Chapter 8, the reader should be able to:
1. Prepare for ASE Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6)

certification test content area “A” (General
Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis).
2. Explain how to set a digital meter to read voltage,
resistance, and current.
3. Explain meter terms and ratings.
4. Interpret meter readings and compare to factory
specifications.
5. Discuss how to properly and safely use meters.
Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

By James D Halderman Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
TEST LIGHTS
• A test light is simply a

light bulb with a probe
and a ground wire
attached.
FIGURE 8-1 A 12-volt test light is

attached to a good ground while
probing for power.

TEST LIGHTS
FIGURE 8-2 A test light can be used to locate an

open in a circuit. Note that the test light is grounded
at a different location than the circuit itself.

TEST LIGHTS
Continuity Test Lights
• A continuity light
illuminates whenever it
is connected to both
ends of a wire that has
continuity or is not
broken.
FIGURE 8-3 Self-powered test lights contain a battery, clamp,

and probe. This type of test light should not be used on any
computer-controlled circuits because the applied voltage can
damage delicate electronic components or circuits.

TEST LIGHTS
LED Test Lights
• An LED test light uses
an LED instead of a
standard automotive
bulb for a visual
indication of voltage.
FIGURE 8-4 High-impedance test light. An LED test light can be easily made using low-
cost components and an old ink pen. With the 470 ohm resistor in series with the LED,
this tester only draws 0.025 ampere (25 milliamperes) from the circuit being tested. This
low current draw helps assure the technician that the circuit or component being tested
will not be damaged by excessive current flow.

TEST LIGHTS
Logic Probe
• A logic probe is an
electronic device that
lights up a red (usually)
LED if the probe is
touched to battery
voltage.
FIGURE 8-5 A logic probe connected to the vehicle

battery and relay used to check for power, ground, or
a pulse.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
• Digital multimeter (DMM) and digital volt-

ohmmilliammeter (DVOM) are terms
commonly used for electronic high-
impedance test meters.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-6 Typical digital
multimeter. The black meter lead
always is placed in the COM
terminal. Except when measuring
the current in amperes, the red
meter test lead remains in the V
terminal.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-7 Common abbreviations used on the display face of many

digital multimeters. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-8 A summary chart indicating what measurement type may be used to test which
vehicle system. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
• A voltmeter measures the pressure or
potential of electricity in units of volts.
• A voltmeter is connected to a circuit in
parallel.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
FIGURE 8-9 A typical autoranging digital multimeter automatically selects the proper scale to read the
voltage being tested. The scale selected is usually displayed on the meter face. (a) Note that the
display indicates “4,” meaning that this range can read up to 4 volts. (b) The range is now set to the
40 volt scale, meaning that the meter can read up to 40 volts on the scale. Any reading above this
level will cause the meter to reset to a higher scale. If not set on autoranging, the meter display would
indicate OL if a reading exceeds the limit of the scale selected. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Voltage
FIGURE 8-10 Typical digital multimeter (DMM) set to read DC volts.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Resistance
• An ohmmeter measures the resistance in
ohms of a component or circuit section when
no current is flowing through the circuit.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-12 Typical digital multimeter

FIGURE 8-11 Using a digital multimeter set showing OL (over limit) on the readout with
to read ohms () to test this light bulb. The the ohms () unit selected. This usually means
meter reads the resistance of the filament. that the unit being measured is open (infinity
resistance) and has no continuity.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
FIGURE 8-13 Many digital multimeters can have the display indicate zero to compensate for test lead
resistance.(1) Connect leads in the Vand COM meter terminals.(2) Select the scale.(3) Touch the two meter
leads together.(4) Push the “zero” or “relative” button on the meter.(5) The meter display will now indicate zero
ohms of resistance. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
• An ammeter measures the flow of current
through a complete circuit in units of
amperes.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
FIGURE 8-14 In this digital multimeter set to read DC amperes, note that the red lead is
placed in the far left-hand socket of the meter. The meter is displaying the current flow
(4.18A) through the electric fuel pump on this General Motors 3800 V6 engine.

DIGITAL MULTIMETERS
Measuring Amperes
FIGURE 8-15 An inductive ammeter clamp is used with all starting and
charging testers to measure the current flow through the battery cables.

AC/DC CLAMP-ON DIGITAL MULTIMETER
• An AC/DC clamp-on digital multimeter

(DMM) is a useful meter for automotive
diagnostic work and uses a Halleffect sensor
to measure current.

AC/DC CLAMP-ON DIGITAL MULTIMETER
FIGURE 8-16 A typical mini clamp-on-type digital

multimeter. This meter is capable of measuring
alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) without FIGURE 8-17 An AC and DC current clamp
requiring that the circuit be disconnected to install the such as the one shown can be used with a
meter in series. The jaws are simply placed over the regular digital multimeter. The amp probe
wire and current flow through the circuit is displayed. contains a separate battery and electronic
circuit that converts the amperage reading
into a millivolt (mV) signal.

FUSE YOUR METER LEADS!
FIGURE 8-18 Note the blade-type fuse holder soldered in series with one
of the meter leads. A 10 amp fuse helps protect the internal meter fuse (if
equipped) and the meter itself from damage that might result from excessive
current flow if accidentally used incorrectly.

ELECTRICAL UNIT PREFIXES
• Electrical units are measured in numbers such as

12 volts, 150 amperes, and 470 ohms.
• Kilo (k) means 1,000.
• If the value is over 1 million (1,000,000), then the
prefix mega (M) is often used.
• Small units of measure expressed in 1/1,000 are
prefixed by milli (m).
• The micro unit is represented by the Greek letter
mu (μ).

“OL” DOES NOT MEAN THE METER IS READING “NOTHING”
FIGURE 8-19 A summary of the test meter hookup.

HOW TO READ DIGITAL METERS
• Getting to know and use a digital meter takes

time and practice.
– Select the proper unit of electricity for what is
being measured.
– Place the meter leads into the proper input
terminals.
– Measure the component being tested.
– Interpret the reading.

FIGURE 8-20 Always look at the meter display when a measurement is being made,
especially if using an autoranging meter. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

RMS versus Average
• Alternating current voltage waveforms can be
true sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal.
– A true sine wave pattern measurement will be the
same for both root-mean-square (RMS) and
average reading meters.

RMS versus Average
FIGURE 8-21 When reading AC voltage signals, a true RMS meter (such as a Fluke 87)
provides a different reading than an average responding meter (such as Fluke 88).The only
place this difference is important is when a reading is to be compared with a specification.
(Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)

Resolution, Digits, and Counts
• Meter resolution refers to how small or fine
a measurement the meter can make.
• The terms digits and counts are used to
describe a meter’s resolution.
– DMMs are grouped by the number of counts or
digits they display.

Resolution, Digits, and Counts
FIGURE 8-22 This meter display shows 052.2 AC volts. Notice that the zero beside the 5
indicates that the meter can read over 100 volts AC with a resolution of 0.1 volt.

Accuracy
• Meter accuracy is the largest allowable error
that will occur under specific operating
conditions.
• Accuracy for a DMM is usually expressed as
a percent of reading.
– An accuracy of 1% of reading means that for a
displayed reading of 100.0 V, the actual value of
the voltage could be anywhere between 99.0 V to
101.0 V.

Accuracy
• Unacceptable 1.00%
• Okay 0.50% (1/2%)
• Good 0.25% (1/4%)
• Excellent 0.10% (1/10%)

METER USAGE ON HYBRID ELECTRIC
VEHICLES
• Many hybrid electric vehicles use system
voltage as high as 650 volts DC.
• These categories are ratings for overvoltage
protection and are rated CAT I, CAT II, CAT
III, and CAT IV.

METER USAGE ON HYBRID ELECTRIC
VEHICLES
FIGURE 8-23 Be sure to only use a FIGURE 8-24 Always use meter leads that
meter that is CAT III rated when are CAT III rated on a meter that is also
taking electrical voltage measurements CAT III rated to maintain the protection
on a hybrid vehicle. needed when working on hybrid vehicles.

DIGITAL METER USAGE 1

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SUMMARY
1. Digital multimeter (DMM) and digital volt-ohmmilliammeter (DVOM) are

terms commonly used for electronic high-impedance test meters.
2. Use of a high-impedance digital meter is required on any computer-

related circuit or component.
3. Ammeters measure current and must be connected in series in the

circuit.
4. Voltmeters measure voltage and are connected in parallel.
5. Ohmmeters measure resistance of a component and must be

connected in parallel, with the circuit or component disconnected from
power.
6. Logic probes can indicate the presence of ground, as well as power.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain why most digital meters are called

high-impedance meters.
2. Describe how an ammeter should be

connected to an electrical circuit.
3. Explain why an ohmmeter must be

connected to a disconnected circuit or
component.

CHAPTER QUIZ
1. Inductive ammeters work because of what

principle?
a) Magic
b) Electrostatic electricity
c) A magnetic field surrounds any wire carrying a
current
d) Voltage drop as it flows through a conductor

CHAPTER QUIZ
2. A meter used to measure amperes is called

a(n) _____.
a) Amp meter
b) Ampmeter
c) Ammeter
d) Coulomb meter

CHAPTER QUIZ
3. A voltmeter should be connected to the

circuit being tested _____.
a) In series
b) In parallel
c) Only when no power is flowing
d) Both a and c

CHAPTER QUIZ
4. An ohmmeter should be connected to the

circuit being tested _____.
a) In series
b) In parallel
c) Only when no power is flowing
d) Both b and c

CHAPTER QUIZ
5. A high-impedance meter _____.

a) Measures a high amount of current flow
b) Measures a high amount of resistance
c) Can measure a high voltage
d) Has a high internal resistance

CHAPTER QUIZ
6. A meter is set to read DC volts on the 4 volt

scale. The meter leads are connected at a
12 volt battery. The display will read _____.
a) 0.00
b) OL
c) 12 V
d) 0.012 V

CHAPTER QUIZ
7. What could happen if the meter leads were

connected to the positive and negative
terminals of the battery while the meter and
leads were set to read amperes?
a) Could blow an internal fuse or damage the
meter
b) Would read volts instead of amperes
c) Would display OL
d) Would display 0.00

CHAPTER QUIZ
8. The highest amount of resistance that can

be read by the meter set to the 2 k scale is
_____.
a) 2,000 ohms
b) 200 ohms
c) 200 k (200,000 ohms)
d) 20,000,000 ohms

CHAPTER QUIZ
9. If a digital meter face shows 0.93 when set

to read k, the reading means _____.
a) 93 ohms
b) 930 ohms
c) 9,300 ohms
d) 93,000 ohms

CHAPTER QUIZ
10. A reading of 432 shows on the face of the

meter set to the millivolt scale. The reading
means _____.
a) 0.432 volt
b) 4.32 volts
c) 43.2 volts
d) 4,320 volts

END


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OBJECTIVES

After studying Chapter 8, the reader should be able to:

1. Prepare for ASE Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6)

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

• A test light is simply a

FIGURE 8-1 A 12-volt test light is

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-2 A test light can be used to locate an

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-3 Self-powered test lights contain a battery, clamp,

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-5 A logic probe connected to the vehicle

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

• Digital multimeter (DMM) and digital volt-

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-7 Common abbreviations used on the display face of many

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-10 Typical digital multimeter (DMM) set to read DC volts.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-12 Typical digital multimeter

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

• An AC/DC clamp-on digital multimeter

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-16 A typical mini clamp-on-type digital

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

• Electrical units are measured in numbers such as

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

FIGURE 8-19 A summary of the test meter hookup.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

• Getting to know and use a digital meter takes

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

Automotive Electricity and Electronics, 2/e © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.