The Trainer #96: Master THIS to Accelerate Your Electrical Diag!

Once mastered, this single technique will do more to elevate your electrical diagnostic ability than any other technique I can think of. And it requires nothing more than a reasonably accurate voltmeter to perform. I hope you enjoy - and learn - from this month's offering.
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Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information or improper use of this information. Motor Age magazine (UBM Americas - Automotive Group) assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Motor Age recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Motor Age, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Motor Age magazine or its corporate parent, UBM Americas.

[@brediaable]

This guy should be inducted into the ATEE automotive teachers of electrical engineers Hall of Fame because he is the best of any who even tried to teach the theory of voltage drop Justin Miller I thought at the time with his trainer board does an exceptional job but this Master Meier guy has a way of really letting you understand the voltage drop thing because he does a few different videos on the same topic to make sure you understand along with great graphics on screen with explanation. Thanks A LOT PETE YOUR A GREAT MAN with a special skill of teaching that very few people are capable of doing. THANKS MR MEIER

[@johnturner8829]

Pete, I could sit in a class with you teaching and * Never get bored, and.. * Knowing at the end of the day I was able to learn and retain the information because of your style of teaching. I am amazed you don't have more subscribers. Always looking forward to the next video. Happy holidays to you and your family.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thank you...and stay tuned! We're planning on hosting training events in 2020, starting May 9 in Chicago!

[@davidblaze1652]

I couldn't agree more. He's a great teacher

[@yellowtrain3161]

Great info!!

[@johneric3886]

I agree with you John, Pete is alright. I put him in the top 20 speakers on KZbin nationally.

[@687datbabyboy]

I think I just learned more in 20 mins than what I learnt in 2 years of electrical engineering in college. Thanks!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thank you!

[@iloveap83]

Im a DIYer and have spent the weekend taking notes on these videos absolutely gold! TY SO MUCH!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Great! That’s what I like to hear.

[@robdoe2420]

Pete, now you've done it. I've got it, and I won't forget it. This is the video I needed.

[@SAAutoRepair]

We very often become complacent knowing the "what" but never learning the "why". I personally have a tough time textbook learning. I need to see it, touch it as well as hear it. As always, you do a fantastic job explaining in this video. Thanks Pete. Hope to see you soon friend. Ride safe

[@davidpringuer2558]

Thanks heaps, learned some great tips by a great teacher. Diagrams made it easier to understand and the explanations were plain and simple, thank you.

[@jdavis8610]

Thanks for answering my questions so far...you have a lot of patience.

[@PaulysAuto]

Great breakdowns and HUGE thanks Pete for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@surgingcircuits6955]

Thx for the video. I have/use a LoadPro and really like it. Same as you're doing here, but can also find a mV problem. Cheers.

[@jamesrahn8339]

Oh man...thank you for explaining so well!

[@nevinkuser9892]

You explained it really well!

[@kingkongkenable]

I just learned more in 20 minutes than I have in the past year about basic electrical diagnostics thanks. I’ll be watching more of your videos!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Really glad you found it useful!

[@thomasldeanjr3337]

I was going to type what John Turner just said in the comment below, but he beat me to it! Thanks Pete!

[@fredsalter1915]

Great vid, as usual. But excess electrons are concentrated at the negative pole, not the positive. Not that that matters all that much :)

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

Great video again - The car you have there with one dim headlamp would be an excellent practical example of where there was likely to be an excess voltage shown on the ground side, following through such an example to its conclusion, and fixing the issue with a repeat test would really drive that home.

[@tts15420]

Great explanation!

[@whitetiger8652]

Thanks Pete!

[@melvis2017]

U are a great teacher on a earth and appreciations for all the job u give to us making me a new born in technology thanks allot from her 👌🇩🇰

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thank you! I’m glad it helped.

[@brad8665]

This is an incredible video. Never fully understood voltage drop or what it meant until now. Thank you

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad it helped!

[@MrRocktuga]

Great video and amazingly easy to understand. Thank You, Sir!

[@ParabellumX]

At 21:00, when you said, "...you're going to have that 'Ah-ha!' moment, and this is all going to seem so simple to you...", I had that lightbulb finally turn on in my head whenever I went to school for HVAC. For years, I had read countless books, and watched countless KZbin videos about Electrical Theory. But I could never fully grasp the entire concept of what Potential Difference was. And believe it or not, it wasn't even my instructor at school who was teaching me whenever it all finally hit me; it was a KZbin video that I had watched! Thank someone above for KZbin! Your videos are just as great and informative as the one mentioned above! Please don't quit making these videos; they truly are a blessing to some people, such as myself.

[@nevinkuser9892]

That's great to hear. Electricity is invisible so you just have to keep at it until you understand.

[@IntelligentElephant]

This was an incredible video. Thank you

[@MyNameVA]

you broke it down better than an unnamed powersports instructor @ an unnamed manufacturer's school in the powersports industry. i was lost in class today & watched a couple of your videos that were able to tie it all together. THANK YOU

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@jamesbarratt593]

Next time you show examples Pete, do so with zero background music. Dance beats detract the mind from hundred percent concentration. Good video though.

[@javierosorio5169]

Very excellent teaching Sr.

[@johnkemple]

I have been watching these videos trying to understand a problem on my vehicle.. so far it is stumping me. But I hope to figure it out...if any one sees this and would like to chime in. I would love to here from you. My 94 Range Rover would love to be normal again..lol

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

What’s the problem?

[@AC-tr9tt]

Thank you!!! Iam watching you from Kazakhstab..Almaty city

[@trangia12]

You have awesome videos. Thank you.

[@davidche554]

After studying and watching scanner Danner lectures (Paul Danner) I came back to this video and understand it much clearer I just needed a little more explaining but now all this makes great sense! Thank u!

[@Barry-tp2vd]

Your teaching style is Really good ! I'm 56 and am finally learning vehicle electrics . For some reason I always thort it too complicated so formed a "mental block" !! Thankyou so much . I'll be showing other poor fools , that we can learn , if our teachers explain the basics so it can "sink in" . Cheers mate .

[@tboneproductions2453]

Great video sir. You can buy more resistance. You can buy more voltage. You can’t buy more amperage. Dan Sullivan. Love this analogy.

[@isabelosaguionjr6161]

Awesome The Trainer!

[@Alchemist37]

Great video Pete 👌

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks!

[@davet1149]

I’m not a mechanic, but this has helped me immensely to understand my problems on my Freightliner. THANKS!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@tafariejones5760]

thanks for the video uncle am in training

[@ezaactly354]

There's a subliminal photo right after he says "you just might see" start at 18:29 and it's somewhere before 18:31

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

You got me!

[@billyyoder8171]

@@MotorAgeMagazine pete, something blips on the screen right after you said, "see."

[@fredsalter1915]

Free jump scare!!

[@ravineseder3133]

Well done sir. Really effective explanations. Just one comment--the schematics shown were not utilized in any meaningful way--were they shown just for "visual interest?"

[@tootoosick18]

I wish you were my grandpa

[@W.Khairi]

Precise, clear and straight to the point, Thanks a lot for making such an educational video.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thank you!

[@suggesttwo]

1. Check the fuse and battery. 2. Check for broken wires, loose or corroded connections. Unplug and re-plug. This rubs tin oxide coating off tin coating on the connections. 3. Check grounds.

[@The3rdCoat]

You're such an awesome teacher, I almost feel guilty for not paying for this!

[@ageedtahir3128]

Did you watch some ads before this video? then you kinda did pay for it. Lol

[@The3rdCoat]

@@ageedtahir3128 😁 good point, though for me personally ads are not very effective, I like to do my own research before spending money

[@ageedtahir3128]

@@The3rdCoat that’s what we all say. Lol

[@philh9238]

How many voltage drop videos do you have? Can you do can bus diagnostics? Lin bus? Most bus? Scope captures good and bad. Or even ford economist break down video idk

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I have done a few! It is one testing method that is widely misunderstood. I meet techs all the time that still struggle with it. So as long as there's someone who needs the help, I'll keep trying. And I'll see what I can do about adding network diagnostics to our library in 2020...thanks for the suggestions!

[@chandrajaiswal8534]

Nice

[@amarghani]

it is helpful informative and nicely put together. I thank you

[@cutcali7907]

I've struggled with this system .Got a power probe and it helped me test components .

[@dougstrain1122]

Very good info! Very well presented! As you were going through I began to understand the voltage drop issue and how to apply it on my vehicle. Thanks so much for putting this here for me to find!

[@codysautodiagnosticsprogra8706]

Like always, great information Pete.

[@richardjones3112]

Brilliant explanation,sometimes we all need to get back to basics.

[@billyr9840]

Nice !

[@MarkOshkeshequoam-m7i]

Yes, you got that right. Be it Automotive, electrical there's always something in your head that clicks and tells you Snap out of it 😂 and this here is like playing music, guitar what ever it is you play you are always, always learning something new. Just thought I'd put the latter in there 😅

[@garypoplin4599]

15:25 - I first learned the effectiveness and simplicity of voltage drop testing under load years ago from Daniel Sullivan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2jCqoltn9mEjac Now, you don’t need a LoadPro active meter lead adapter to do these already simple tests; but, using the tool allows you to make all tests at one location - the load connection - to determine where the fault is (positive side, negative side, or load), making the diagnosis much quicker.

[@nickayivor8432]

Good Afternoon Pete Meier motor age Take care and have a great day 👍 Thanks 👍 Great tutorial 👌 From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@luckymutibo9848]

You know I solved an electrical problem on a tractor coz of the voltage drop videos you teach...Now am beginning to shed off the fear of electrical problems on cars

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad to hear that!

[@kristenlilly4345]

I have had a horrible time with my old f150 I've changed out every part in it I think trying to avoid electrical cause I'm a youtube mechanic at best and an old women I tried to do what you said in one of your other videos to test the ground and battery and the battery itself I get the right voltage but when I have someone help me test the voltage while starting the vehicle it drops from 12 to 2 volts only when starting not just run but actually starting I guess since it's a manual transmission I don't have someone to help me everyday and I've gotta get this thing g fixed can u give me anywhere I can test to get it to start without the battery being at 100% or two battery's cause I'm having a hard time and don't know how to test for this alone

[@sinandy6077]

Brilliant explanation. If we understand the basic concepts, life becomes so simple. You made it so simple to understand. Thanks!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad you liked it!

[@Mechanicsville804]

Thank you! John 3:3 Verily, verily, except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

[@marcjones744]

Your electrical principles explanation has been the best i have found on youtube... And i have watched a number of them

[@yungchan8914]

Does same rules apply to AC circuits? Just started in HVAC field.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I'm not 100% sure about the use of voltage drop when it comes to AC circuits. Are you referring to commercial/residential HVAC?

[@martincaldera386]

Tomorrow I´ll check my car headligts that are very dim, using your useful video, thank you a lot.

[@horseshoe182]

thanks Pete, thats explained a few things for me, and helped out . subbed.

[@everardocamacho5063]

Great video Mr mier, it took like 10 times watching the video to understand the concept, it is hard for some one like me than don't know much about electricity but like it a lot, thank for your time and I wish you and your family a happy merry xmas and prospero new year 2020, from Ontario ca.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Learning the concept of voltage drop is one of those things that will frustrate you until you get it. THEN, you'll go back and say "Wow - that was simple!"

[@harpritsinghchattha380]

Made it soo simple to understand basics of voltage drop. I have seen soo many videos making it more confusing but it was spot on sir Lots & lots love and respect

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad you liked it!

[@charlesleake930]

always the " bricklayer " free........bricklayer hand signs......it will be their downfall : )

[@TheRealJakeRyanMusic]

😂 i feel like I've been running in circles until now

[@robertward8037]

Im starting to understand this a lot more, thank you for being such a great teacher !

[@kamranjavaid]

Voltage drop test explained in most simple and convenient way.

[@peacepoet1947]

Tell me how to check the electrical properties of a torque converter clutch solenoid? Can it be done without dropping the pan?

[@karlx-1]

I understand more now about how voltage REALLY works than a whole lifetime!

[@WheelsGarage]

awesome explanations, thanks for being diligent in teaching this instead of alot of short handed explanations on here

[@condensermike]

Fantastic video series. Top notch instructor. Thanks, Pete!

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

Pete! ...i hope you don't get upset at me, I have never been the docile pupil... Most people tend to praise videos without really understanding. Also, it is amazing to see experts who are in the business and troubleshoot issues successfully on a regular basis, but NOT one I have found so far who can explain electrical behaviour correctly, fully, accurately, if not as well with half truths if not entirely false assertions. One example(not you): - when you see people saying the likes of: 'Now I understand better how Voltage flows!' *&$$^#! Now, people, don't get your panties in a wad... we are talking at the layman's level here, ok! NOT THE MAXWELL equations, Faraday's findings, Ampere's discovery(not his actually, but MAXWELL's)... Amps should be Maxs LOL! Pete... you should review this video, as you are making false statements. To give you a hint without tainting the answers, and too speed you up... look in the 4 mins region...(at least). It could be simply bad wording, or a slip of the mind(saying left meaning right), or possibly due to the force-of-habit-knowledge vs accurate-understanding. Now although conventional current is wrong( + to - ) and real current( - to + ) is correct one can see that the measurement clearly shows that V drops to near 0 on the - side. This is only a hint, as if I state a question it would practically give away the answer. I want you to do that, not my question giving it away. Also, when you parrot the ugly phrase that 'it does not matter which direction it goes', you are being no help to a newbie. Example: The starter has to turn in the right direction, so if the polarity was messed up at the starter... !? There are more than one possible answers to this conundrum, only a few I bring up: - all DC motors are wired to match the real direction of the current. - all devices that are direction dependent have a built-in diode bridge to guarantee correct polarity. - all batteries lie, they are labelled backwards(least costly approach) - ... Could you please elaborate and fill those gaps! t.y. MORAL: it is high time that the false conventional current direction be eradicated from all written materials, all newly written knowledge to show the real direction. ...kinda like the horrible QWERTY keyboard layout that was created to demolish typists speed that caused the inadequate old type writer mechanisms to jam. ...or the U.S. still procrastinating into a super slow conversion to the metric system.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks for the comments! I am no electrical engineer but I think I may understand where you're going with this. It is my understanding that, even though - goes to +, electrical devices/tools are labeled to match + to -. And yes, I agree that the phrase that it doesn't matter is one that should be removed (and has been from my current work). One thing I do know - we learn best when we learn from each other. If you have additional resources that you think would be good for me to investigate, please - send 'em on!

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

Thanks for making these videos, Pete. They're so good.

[@pigeonsil240sx]

i have a question.does the voltage drop readings increase as amperage increases?i seen a car that had a 2v drop on power side,the spec fuel pressure was 45psi but the pump was putting out a massive 90psi.would this cause a rise in amperage that would create a 2v drop?

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Amperage increase will not change voltage drop. What I think you're seeing is a problem with the pressure relief valve in the pump assembly. If the excess pressure can't be vented, the pump will work harder against the "restriction" and draw more current. That drops battery voltage just like it does on a starter motor.

[@joshuatreadway4829]

Thank you good friend for explaining so clearly your knowledge and troubleshooting skills. I will watch this over several times. Can't wait to watch more of your videos

[@richardnilsen8950]

You can never get tied up In high technology things And forget the basics comprehending circuit design and knowing what To expect when measuring 👍👍great refresher video

[@romanjaspe4172]

thanks teacher!!. God bless you!. Regards

[@minsgraham6615]

Real pro

[@rwhermogenes6554]

thank you for passing on your knowledge Sir.

[@1atech]

I don't understand why #2 (#1-6), would show that 0 volts at the ground side shows open when the load is supposed to have used up the electricity? What am I missing?

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

The key here is that you're reading a PERFECT 0.0v. Because there is still a long way to go before the electrons make it home, there is still other (minor) sources of resistance to come (connectors, splices, switches perhaps). So there should be a few tenths of a volt left for them. The PERFECT 0.0v indicates that no current is flowing - so no voltage drop. And since we had a good Open Circuit Voltage reading on one side but not on the other, the ope has to be somewhere between those two test points. I stress "test points" because in some cases you can't get right on top of the load - like a fuel pump, for example. Does that clear it up?

[@1atech]

NOW I GET IT!!! Have a happy holiday. This was your BEST video on voltage drop. (I am a subscriber for MANY YEARS)

[@WoodsboyMike]

Very helpful! Thank you! God bless

[@dissociativecat7495]

Your meter lead connections and diagrams starting at 7.26 do not correspond for example at 7.32 its not the resistor dropping the voltage fact is you have both leads on the negative side

[@vnakrani]

I wish you were my electrical trainer during my apprenticeship as a automotive technician...would have been so much better... excellent video...great info...

[@leonciorodriguezaguilera9513]

Excellent Video Tutorial !! Excellent Professor !! Thanks A Lot For Sharing

[@cebunting]

Number 6- if you see source voltage on ground side of load you have an open ground wire

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Correct! If the reading is identical to source voltage on both sides of the load, there is an open circuit. But consider - isn't an open circuit the most severe case of a second major source of resistance? It can't get much higher than that! :-) The difference is, we are not measuring voltage drop - we're measuring OCV, or Open Circuit Voltage. There is no current flow, therefore - no voltage drop.

[@lougilday1094]

Learn so much due to the step by step process. Does it change with source voltage from module’s ? Would you use the ground of the module or the negative source from the module?

[@HikerBiker]

Really enjoying the video until the subtitles got covered up with an ad towards the end. Don't mind the video being interrupted for an ad but the small ones at the bottom that cover up the lower part of the screen pisses me off.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Hit the x in the top right of the ad to close it.😉

[@Johnwilliams-yi9xc]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@harryohanson]

Wouldn’t the sample #2 in the end of the video be what you are looking for, wouldn’t that be normal?

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Not quite, Harry. The perfect reading of 0.0v on the ground side indicates no current flow. There should always be a little something left over.

[@jonnelonate2394]

Thanks you so much sir. Really help a lot..

[@garylee1544]

Looks like meter is set to AC volts? Awesome Video Series!!

[@mikeycurtis7861]

Aha just poofed itself into existence.

[@mikekotarba5828]

Thank you for the cool video.

Straight up spitting knowledge here

[@jimburnsjr.]

What about diodes and current flo?

[@benji1990x]

Amazing video I'm subscribing been a mechanic since I left school and always struggled with electrics and diag hopefully I can watch your videos and learn

[@WogChilli]

Learning Kirchoffs law helps

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Another informative explanation Pete. Thanks for sharing 😩🇺🇸 Artie

[@syedshah8529]

Pete i learned a lot in this video i always watch your videos regard to electrical voltage drop i like very much, the way you explain in such a simple way to get basic concept of electrical circuit great work thanks

[@bodianlanding7777]

Great video. Thank you Sir