The Trainer #18: Electrical Testing Tips

Stay in touch with all we have to offer! Sign up for our newsletter at www.searchautoparts.com/motora...
Diagnosing electrical faults is arguably the toughest task most technicians face. Reliance on simple voltage tests with a traditional test light or multimeter and/or checking component or circuit integrity statically with an ohmmeter often allows a fault to go undetected, frustrating techs even further.
As contributing editor and educator Joe Glassford shares in his June 2012 feature on this same topic, "Think current path, not circuit path". Current is what makes an electrical component work. If there are problems in the current path, the current supply to the component will be less than it should be, causing the component to work poorly or not at all.
Voltage drop testing is one answer to finding those problems quickly and efficiently.
The testing method itself is simple. It's understanding what the results are telling you that tends to throw off those new to the testing method. In the June 2012 edition of "The Trainer," Motor Age technical editor Pete Meier gives you an explanation of what voltage drop testing is, how to perform the test on common circuits, and tips on understanding the test results. Click this link to subscribe to Motor Age! bit.ly/MA_YT_freesub

[@isaimtz-cmcho688]

Just letting you know; this video & the trainer series are still providing extreme value 10 years later. 👍 Thank you for this.

[@Chris07860]

He explains it so much better than my shop teacher does.

[@SteveRobReviews]

This has to be the 10th episode in voltage drop testing. I quite enjoy watching the same format over and over again. Look forward to another session on the same subject. Soon I will be able to move up to Scannerdanners channel. Keep up the great work.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Steve - The understanding of voltage drop testing in the industry as a whole is still well below where it should be. This is an important technique to understand and as long as our readers ask for this kind of information we'll keep looking for ways to provide it to them.

[@victorocampo8837]

Thanks, i 'm learning.

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I'll try to do that in the next video. Thanks for the comment!

[@WellsVE]

Very nice explanations Pete! Love the revolving door visual! Mark Hicks Wells Vehicle Electronics

[@joseruiz6840]

Thankyuo .motoe ageexcelent training vidio..

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Glad you found it helpful. Be sure to check out all the resources we have for you here and on the Motor Age site.

[@Chris07860]

For me going out and being a Tech asides from going to school I read books and watch youtube videos like this to have a more better understanding, I'm going to check out your other vids.

[@NN-gy7xl]

please create more vids like this. great

[@planet1250]

This was awesome!

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

Thanks Mark!

[@nickayivor8432]

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

[@MotorAgeMagazine]

I hope this helps you master the technique. Be sure to check out all the resources we have for you!

[@engamen87]

nice video but you are talking very fast please slow down a little :)

[@johnnichols11]

Simple fix: slow down playback speed on video while viewing.