Check Vehicle Fuses with a Multimeter

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TestingFuses I’m always eager to learn new skills when it comes to automobiles. Performing simple jobs like changing the oil and changing brake pads has really saved a lot of money, so I was pumped to learn an easy way to check the fuses in my car.

The running lights on my wife’s car quit working. Since all the lights stopped working at the same time, the fuse was a likely culprit.

Vehicle Fuses

Fuses are similar to circuit breakers in your home. They are a safety feature that helps monitor electrical current. If there is a short circuit, the fuse will blow, protecting wiring and electrical components. Checking your fuses is a great place to start when strange problems occur. Most fuse panels are located under the hood and / or under the dash.

Multimeters

A multimeter is an instrument used to check AC and DC voltage, continuity, and resistance. They are a great diagnostic tool to have at hand. If you’re looking for a digital multimeter, check out the TEK4 digital multimeter (review).

How to Check Your Car Fuses

Multimeter

Start by grabbing your multimeter and owners manual.

Step 1: Check your owners manual to find out how many fuse panels you have and where they are located. You can also find out which fuse regulates specific components. For instance, fuse #14 under the dash regulates the running lights in my wife’s car.

Step 2: Put in the key and turn it to “run” but don’t start the car. Set the multimeter to DC volts. This will test the voltage difference between the two test points.

Step 3: Each fuse will have two test points on the top allowing you to check each fuse without even removing it. Touch the black probe to a ground source like the negative battery terminal. Touch the red probe to each fuse test point. You should get a positive reading of about 12 volts.