I know this sounds really stupid but I bought a digital multimeter recently and I lost the instructions and I have no idea how to use it . Im having some electrical problems in my car ... Any help would be greatly appreciated ...

 

And the fact that you're a girl is supposed to get people to answer your quicker or what ? If you don't know how to use a multimeter then you probably shouldnt be anywhere near anything electrical. LOL

 

Somebody must not have got some last night . . .

 

To measure volts select the voltage scale. Some like the Fluke meters have 2 voltage scales indicated by a sine wave symbol for AC volts and one with 2 straight lines for DC. Or, you can simply look for a button that shifts the volts scale from AC to DC. In a car you will be working with 12 volts DC. When you are on the right scale the negative or usually black wire goes to a good chassis ground or to the negative battery terminal the positive or red probe goes to the device or wire you want to measure. To test your meter simply go across the 2 battery terminals and if set up correctly you should read 12 volts or so. To measure resistance put the meter into the ohms position and read across the device in question. Never use ohms where voltage is present, generally you will pop the fuse in the meter. Most meters will read current up to 10 amps, but require moving the positive probe to a different plug in the meter which is usually well marked. If it is a popular DVM you should be able to get an online owners manual from the vendors web site.

 

I kind of agree..... I wouldn't start learning on a car electrical system, too many poorly marked things to play with.

 

well thank you for your help Danno , I appreciate it.

 

http://www.elexp.com/t_elec.htm