multimeter use? how to?
 

hey guys i have never used a multimeter before and need to learn how. Currently my brother just got an '89 celica gts and he's trying to get it started. i will be helping him this weekend. so what i need to know how to do is use it to check and see if the starter and starter relay are working or getting power, if thats possible to do with the multimeter. and im sure once i get that down maybe i could slowly figure out more on how to use this thing, thanks in advance guys.

Testing nearly the entire starting system if not all of it can be done with a Multimeter.

You will want to start with the VAC(volts Alternating Current) selection on the multimeter. If you have a range selection use something that will allow you to read 10-20VAC. Plug the red multimeter lead into the positive and the black multimeter lead into the ground or common. You will want to touch the red lead to the connection that has you voltage and the black lead to a clean portion of the chasis or bolt. Make sure you use metal that is/or is connected to the frame!

Use that and read the following link.. Page 14 even shows multimeter use
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h7.pdf

AC (alternating current) is used in houses, industry, etc.

DC (direct current) is used in automobiles.

Set the meter to the (not below 12v) 15v in the dcv setting area.

I sit corrected, my appologies... mrnickleye is correct VDC.

right on thanks guys, i didnt get a chance to come online before i worked on it though, we ended up getting it going just fine, yet.. i still do not know what it was that we did that got it started. we took the starter off and tested it... it was good so we put it back on, the alternator we tested was bad...but i've been able to start a car with a bad alternator and a new battery before... so we got a new one of those, the starter relay switch was still good after testing a new one in it after we got it cranking over and then the old one again.. same results. And finally the only other thing we did to it was spark plugs. so either the new alternator, or the spark plugs got it going. My brother said it wasnt even making a sound when he first tried to start it with new battery. But hey we figured it out either way, and it seems to be purring like a kitten even after sitting for a few years. I do hear some sort of air leak though, we'll tackle that another day.