Car cranks but doesn't start

[mikehkang]

Originally Posted by blue62

No experience with that one but some limited experience with other makes.
Yes it looks like it will load test the range is 100-2000 Cold Cranking Amps.
Looks like you can do some other testing with it.

What I usually do is voltage drop tests when I am having issues with starting or charging systems.
A good quality Digital Voltage meter is a valuable diagnostic tool when it comes to anything electric on an automobile.
Understanding an electrical system, how to test it and access are the real issues.
With a good quality Digital Voltage Meter you can test O2 sensors, fuel injectors,
Maf sensors. Anything electrical on your car. Most of the time you can find info on how to do the test on the Web and or Youtube.
I think your much better off with a good Digital Voltage Meter.
Much more useful.
I just have to go back to youtube or the Web when I want to do things like a voltage drop test. So I know I am doing them correctly.

If you have a place like Battery Plus they will load test your battery free of charge.
Autozone Pepboys, places like that they can't even count your change.
Just buy things you need there, don't take advice from them.

"What I usually do is voltage drop tests when I am having issues with starting or charging systems."
Well, the headlights going dark means voltage is getting too low, right? (I just checked my bimmer. Its headlights stay on during the start up.

"Autozone Pepboys, places like that they can't even count your change."
LOL. I must maintain a working relationship with the local Autozone as they accept my used oil even though I buy the oil from Amazon.

I know AZ used to do the 'real' load test but not any more. They connect that 'reader/tester' to the battery and in 1 second, they tell me my battery is good. I just don't know how much I can trust the new 'testing' process and its results.

Thank you again for your help.
I really appreciated it.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mikehkang

"What I usually do is voltage drop tests when I am having issues with starting or charging systems."
Well, the headlights going dark means voltage is getting too low, right? (I just checked my bimmer. Its headlights stay on during the start up.

"Autozone Pepboys, places like that they can't even count your change."
LOL. I must maintain a working relationship with the local Autozone as they accept my used oil even though I buy the oil from Amazon.

I know AZ used to do the 'real' load test but not any more. They connect that 'reader/tester' to the battery and in 1 second, they tell me my battery is good. I just don't know how much I can trust the new 'testing' process and its results.

Thank you again for your help.
I really appreciated it.

Yes the headlights going dim or dark when you try to start the engine means the battery doesn't have enough power to do both.
It is sort of like a voltage drop test.
The lights going dim shows that the voltage is dropping out when you try to start the car.