Multimeter basics for automotive use | Hagerty DIY

Does the wiring in your classic car look like a plate of spaghetti? Wiring is something many owners are scared of, but we are here to help. Prepare to dive into electrical projects by getting familiar with a multimeter. This simple and affordable tool can be your lifeline in solving electrical problems for vintage rides. Hagerty’s Matt Lewis talks you through how to troubleshoot electrical gremlins like a professional by testing for voltage, ohms, and amperage. Hopefully this will spark your motivation!
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[@ashc5728]

Im a decently handy guy, but ive always struggled with electrical circuits and how to test. There are some REALLY good points made in here - well done guys.

[@Freedomquest08]

I use a mulitmeter so seldom that I have to stop and think twice about it each time I use it. These are good refresher tips for me regarding a very useful tool.

[@eyewood1]

Do you have a video that demonstrates how to check for a parasitic draw on an automotive battery is an automotive battery from an older vehicle 72 cutlass to be specific non computer

[@mrjesuschrist2u]

Lol same usually it's to stop and think "wtf did I get myself into"

[@stacyturner1317]

I can't even BEGIN to tell you how happy I am to have found this video. I've been looking all over the internet to find ANYTHING that not only shows you how to use it, but explains why you put it on the settings that you do, AND what the readings should be. Trying to pick up a little here and a little there was driving me crazy. I can honestly say that I understand the BASICS of how to use my multimeter. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

[@firstgenerationgarage2803]

Very good information if you are a car guy or hobbyist like myself it's very important to learn the multimeter I learned it pretty good and it helped me a whole lot putting the whole electrical system together for my 67 Firebird love you guys I Hagerty keep up the great job

[@treycen2785]

haha watching this for my 94 firebird

[@firstgenerationgarage2803]

@@treycen2785 that's good my Firebird brother the more you could learn the better it is for you to move forward with your project check out my KZbin video and good luck

[@richbahret56]

The absolute best video I’ve found for the novice with a multimeter! Well done!

[@matthewmosier8439]

Videos like this one are one of the best parts of KZbin. They save hours of time and can be constantly rewatched to get answers to specific questions.

[@kumara5492]

Valuable information to someone like me who's working on my SUV to bring it to life after 4 years of sitting on the driveway. Thank you so much and I subscribed

[@grizzly9960]

This is a very helpful and informative video on Multimeter function. It was a huge help for me and I am sure it will help hundreds if not thousands of others. Thank you

[@ashleytwigg7737]

Policy saivern

[@ashleytwigg7737]

Thank buck a roo!!! N pistol annies...lol u helped me more than u kno

[@rebjones1000]

Thanks so much for this video. I am a complete novice and this helped me quickly get up to speed for the task I needed to do.

[@kathleenkelly4912]

Thank you, Mr Matt Hagerty. I watched your video twice, and sincerely appreciate your clear description and teaching method. I carefully read through the manual upon purchasing my initial multimeter. A refresher course with a clear demonstration by an expert cannot be matched. Many thanks, and I wish you & your family good health throughout the high risk threat of Covid19.

[@MatthewMintuntheGreat]

What a great video! Exactly what I need while working on my Jeep. I love the simple explanations and the real world issue troubleshooting.

[@nomadsteve5297]

I have had one of these for over 10 years and never knew how it worked, until now that is, Thanks for the brilliant video 👍

[@et9443]

Fantastic Video. I'm a DIY kind of backyard mechanic and pretty knowledgeable about numerous aspects of cars but I was always a little unsure of the electrical side of things and especially on how to test and probe for electrical issues. You made the information as easy as pie. Great job and I really appreciate it.

[@kumara5492]

Me too, a hobby mechanic likes to work on my car on weekends. Which volt meter will you suggest me , to buy, and from where?

[@jarredmay7496]

This was such a massive help in learning about how a multimeter works. Please do more of these types of videos!!

[@Ashfielder]

Last time I used a multimeter was back in middle school, so this was a very useful refresher. Got some nasty DIY wiring to clear up in my engine bay.

[@Bostonaholic]

I really enjoyed (and learned a lot) from the diagnostic part of the video towards the end. The step-by-step process for finding the root cause was explained very well. Thank you!

[@DvjUpset]

Im installing a start/stop button on my car with PKE. This is the best tutorial, even for dummies like me who has never used a multi meter

[@outboardfixer]

This is a SIMPLE, WELL explained video with no one trying to be a MOVIE STAR...just a great to the point vid....WELL DONE!

[@GilbertMendoza]

I just learned everything I need in life. 😂 Thanks for this excellent presentation!

[@Swyftboi]

Great tutorial! I love how you demonstrated use-cases for troubleshooting after describing the basic functions.

[@barryrussell4106]

Best video I’ve seen on use basics

[@mingwangchung]

Very helpful, good audio and visual instructions. Thank you for lowering my anxiety with my new multimeter lol

[@pmp2559]

Thanks, you explained just what I needed to know very well

[@douglasrydstrom5353]

Clear and instructive basics - Very nice!!

[@roadiesean]

Absolutely excellent introductory video. Why can’t they all be like that ? Terrific job.

[@davidlourenco4662]

Damn good tutorial with real life examples. thanks

[@jordanbelknap61]

Really deep but understandable, touched all the points I was needing help with, wonderful video ❤

[@wrzkace1]

very informative I didn't know anything now I know the basics thank you

[@snprekt8594]

Very helpful video. Thank you!!

[@wilsonaguirregomez3751]

what a great video!! Thank you.

[@onehandyangel6132]

VERY HELPFUL, THANK YOU!

[@byrontaylor8522]

Well done and very helpful. Thank you!!

[@resurrectedwrecks336]

Thank you very much for this video!

[@timb.5967]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@mixbox3081]

Thank you sooooooo muuuch..... Uve absolutely unswered a plenty of questions in my mind. Thank you once again 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@JacopoSkydweller]

I'm a mechanical engineer, but for whatever reason I struggled with circuits through college, and haven't needed to touch a mutlimeter or a circuit in 3.5 years. Excellent refresher, trying to diagnose why my truck won't start, problem is no power to fuel pump after full engine rebuild. Just got to figure out WHERE.

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Great help. Cheers guys.👍🏼

[@ismaelcarrillo3956]

Thank you. Best explanation

[@Steven-ro4of]

Very informative and easy to understand.

[@VanillaGorilla502]

Thanks for making these videos.

[@cadlac59]

Great video. You dumbed it down enough for even me to understand

[@mgc9144]

Clear and to the point . Thank you

[@chandrakantindapurkar8738]

Very good information. In simple words very useful for beginners who does auto works Thank you sir

[@colinsavill3459]

Great presentation. Thanks. Off to fix the fuel sender on my Land Rover...

[@brycebabe8151]

Great refresher video. Smart dude

[@andredya9867]

Thank you for explaining simply

[@waqarkhan991]

Your are an excellent teacher

[@CalSticks]

Magic - thank you!

[@V29546]

super helpful for basic at home auto enthusiast.

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Thank you. I finally got it.

[@warrencumming2267]

Great video.. To the point & helpful. Thanks

[@Riai.]

great video, thanks for uploading.

[@ministerelzey]

Very good detailed explanation...

[@alannorthcarolina1776]

Thanks for the diff info. I look forward to working on my mustang’s 9”.

[@davidrowe5822]

This is a great video. I'd like to see a follow up video that details real world situations with corrosion on bulb sockets. It would be great to see how to measure resistance in a socket that is corroded that explains how to troubleshoot older wiring that might be susceptible to corrosion. An explanation of resistance metering in more detail would be helpful for the DIY crowd that is trying to determine why, for example, a turn signal bulb is working but flashing faster than the other side of the car. Measuring resistance would be a way to determine that the circuit can flow electricity via amps and voltage yet resistance is higher than normal which might be the cause of why the turn signal circuit is behaving erratically. This just happened to me last week and I spent hours learning about it when I bet one of these awesome simple videos would detail a more real-world scenario. I can't say enough how much I learn from these Hagerty DIY videos. Thank you very much!

[@Hagerty]

We have a few more videos focused on electrical components coming out soon. Stay tuned!

[@mtlsi]

Thank you, really really helpfull video and it is a great help.

[@rusty6666]

good video thank you

[@RajenderSingh8]

Awesome explanation and hands on

[@landyandrianantenaina6784]

Ton of thanks man!

[@willywinwin]

very well explained

[@seanjohn2381]

super awesome video. Very clear

[@rcadd1ct]

Using your fingers to hold the wires onto the test lead is a bad habit to get into. I was checking trailer wiring and a short made the wire get red hot. I got a nice brand on that one. It also trains you to get bit when you start working with AC circuits. Otherwise a lot of good info.

[@hagertymatt8520]

rcadd1ct you’re right. I try to avoid it whenever possible, but loose wires on the table were difficult to wrangle. The other issue I’ve found is, testing high resistance circuits, my body can change the reading. Thanks for watching!

[@teymac8127]

You might also want to ditch the metal watch band too. I have a VERY nice brand from mine. 😳

[@ben-7403]

@@teymac8127 Yes sirree, and you can't forget wedding rings. Say goodbye to your finger (or a good amount of the skin on it)

[@nelsonthekinger]

Great video, the best I've seen so far 🎉😊

[@webname8886]

Thanks. I don't use a VOM that often and I need to refresh my memory.

[@JohnJ25]

Thank you for teaching us to understand:)

[@fordfella801]

Very helpful. Thank you 😊

[@Ejacko]

Awesome video. thank you.

[@AH-ps3uv]

Str8 to the point and informative thanks

[@waqarkhan991]

You deserve a subscription. And here you go

[@ramblersixty7009]

Really good video. Cheers

[@672egalaxie6]

Good little intro to multimeters video. I think what I found most interesting...towel bar bumpers on a Super Beetle!

[@toddvanwinkle7777]

Yea....I noticed that...lol

[@cliffordwilson4644]

Good job very well explained

[@excellenceinanimation960]

Great video!

[@mikeguitarification]

Just stumbled on this, great video and clear. Also, love the shirt! Hilarious

[@muratakafuzzyfirefly3716]

Very useful.. thanks

[@oscardiaz8335]

Good job guys.

[@CTmoog]

Thank you

[@TerminusVox]

I could have used a bit better visual of where and how the test leads plug in.

[@jeffb5463]

Very helpful

[@juancid1607]

Thank you!!

[@rodneygiovanatti5425]

great video. thankyou for the lesson

[@Hagerty]

Our pleasure Rodney. Thank you for watching.

[@MrJerryk55]

I like this vid, it helps me a lot.

[@mrjameschong]

thank you sir, I learned a lot today with you

[@Wabajak13]

Your profile pic confused me for a second, I thought it was me

[@Tim-82]

helped thank you

[@Kaitozaki]

continuity is also a great way to test a broken load...or switch...i always use it to check is my wires are going (+) positive and coming back (-) negative...before i hook up my 12v supply...you can also check which wires go to which switch if you have 3 wires on a 2 way switch...so you know which switch turns on the flow in the wire...

[@zzvannie]

That was an excellent tutorial. I have never used a multimeter before, I feel pretty confident in purchasing one now.

[@theexpatgunner]

Same for me, I want to add a parking mode kit to my VW and need to see what side of the fuse is providing direct power so i can use piggyback adapters to wire it in. Thanks

[@Matty.Hill_87]

Same man.. Bought one to help diagnose my car and suddenly realised I had no clue how to use it 🤦‍♂️🤣

[@gameopluss]

awesome video

[@CakMadHudiLamongan]

thank u for information,i like this electronica for auotomotive

[@user-qp3pc3xt1g]

Awesome nice tool

[@omarboumuhammadalhamdoulil4410]

Very clear

[@Dustin_the_wind]

Thank you.

[@spankyblack6119]

Good video> Thanks

[@yongkim7773]

Thanks for the video. Does this work on led break light kit?

[@esoneuorg5138]

Good examples

[@robertherrera419]

That was cool, man. I'm going to have to try this out. Good info. I dig it. 😎

[@matthewtyson4029]

It turned out that the aftermarket air horn in my 2000 Ford Ranger XLT was not working due to simple corrosion of the horn’s terminals and the power wire to which they are connected. A quick cleaning using an automotive battery terminal post wire brush was the quick and easy fix for me to once again hear that sweet (but sometimes annoying!) ‘Wah wah’ sound emanate from my trusty light duty toy truck.

[@robfrost1]

Using the meter's frequency setting for measuring revs would be a useful video.

[@teiaperigosa]

playing with stuff like batteries and other household items with it is a great suggestion

[@bryanwade9834]

Nice video

[@bjleau76]

Well done