Using a multi meter?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
kuSt
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Teesside

Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:14 am

hi,

i want to test my ICV and TPS are working. what ohms setting should i be using on the multi-meter?

(2000k 200k 20k 2000 200)

also, how do you check for voltage? which setting on the multi-meter?

any info's appreciated, thanks.
User avatar
gotoneagain
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:00 pm

Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:16 am

same here please enlighten us
smithy318i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5797
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Tyne & Wear

Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:20 am

Lol.

ohms setting for the tps should be the one which makes a noise when you short out the terminals.

as for voltage... less than 2V set to 2V... less than 20V set to 20V

IMO if you dont know how to use a meter, you shouldnt have bought one.
Image
kuSt
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Teesside

Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:54 am

smithy318i wrote:Lol.

IMO if you dont know how to use a meter, you shouldnt have bought one.
thanks for the info, and opinion...although i'm guessing if i applied that to everything in life i'd be sitting in a dark cave playing with my own s*** :D

apologies if these are stupid questions, just started trying to learn about cars back in march when i got the e30.
smithy318i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5797
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Tyne & Wear

Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:08 am

sorry. not trying to be sarcastic.

Voltage / resistance / current setting on the meter needs to be higher than the value your reading. if you dont know the value, set the meter to the maximum setting, and turn it down until you get a valid reading.
Image
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:45 am

Be aware that voltage readings on an unloaded circuit can be totally misleading! If you take a voltage reading on a point where you expect to find 12 volts, then a meter will still read 12 volts even if there is a poor connection amounting to several thousand ohms somewhere along the line.
kuSt
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Teesside

Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:28 am

right, think i can manage the ohms then, i should wiki some general info about meters.

thanks smithy/brian, very much appreciate your help gents. :D
Speedtouch
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 14030
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Canterbury

Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:02 pm

General test for an ICV is to feel/hear it humming when the ignition is switched on - no test gear needed!
///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
kuSt
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Teesside

Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:44 pm

heh...even i can understand that 320, nice one!
Post Reply