Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Does your car battery keep going flat ?, and when you charge it up and it goes flat again within a few days ?. It’s possible that your battery could be going bad. Carrying out a load test using a multimeter can give an indication of the condition of your battery, and also confirm that the charging system is working properly.
A car battery load test checks a battery's ability to deliver power under stress by observing its voltage while it's under load (like during cranking). You can perform a load test by connecting a multimeter or a specialized battery tester and observing the voltage drop. A battery is generally considered good if its voltage stays above 9.6 volts during cranking.
Using a Multimeter (Crank Test)
1. Ensure the battery is fully charged: A low-charge battery will fail a load test even if it's healthy.
2. Connect the multimeter: Attach the red probe to the positive (+) battery terminal and the black probe to the negative (-) terminal.
3. Start the engine: Have a second person turn the ignition key if necessary.
4. Observe the voltage: Watch the multimeter display as the engine cranks.
5. Interpret the results: The voltage will drop but should not go below 9.6 volts. If it falls below this, or significantly below 10 volts, the battery may be bad.
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©Youtube.com/Screwsnutsandbolts 2025
Read important information below:
Disclaimer:
My videos are a guide to making repairs and also to provide helpful information.
Do not attempt to make any repairs unless you’re sure you know what you’re doing. For more detailed information, if something is not clear to you, or you don't understand something, have the repair carried out by a qualified mechanic or at your local car dealer. Any repair you carry out on your car you do at your own risk.
Under no circumstances will Screwsnutsandbolts be responsible or liable in any way for any content, including but not limited to, any errors or omissions in the content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of any content communicated in this video, whether by Screwsnutsandbolts or a third party. In no event shall Screwsnutsandbolts be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits arising out of or in connection with the availability, use or performance of any information communicated in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Screwsnutsandbolts, it cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Screwsnutsandbolts assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Screwsnutsandbolts recommends safe practices when performing any do it yourself repairs and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Screwsnutsandbolts, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Screwsnutsandbolts.
Does your car battery keep going flat ?, and when you charge it up and it goes flat again within a few days ?. It’s possible that your battery could be going bad. Carrying out a load test using a multimeter can give an indication of the condition of your battery, and also confirm that the charging system is working properly.
A car battery load test checks a battery's ability to deliver power under stress by observing its voltage while it's under load (like during cranking). You can perform a load test by connecting a multimeter or a specialized battery tester and observing the voltage drop. A battery is generally considered good if its voltage stays above 9.6 volts during cranking.
Using a Multimeter (Crank Test)
1. Ensure the battery is fully charged: A low-charge battery will fail a load test even if it's healthy.
2. Connect the multimeter: Attach the red probe to the positive (+) battery terminal and the black probe to the negative (-) terminal.
3. Start the engine: Have a second person turn the ignition key if necessary.
4. Observe the voltage: Watch the multimeter display as the engine cranks.
5. Interpret the results: The voltage will drop but should not go below 9.6 volts. If it falls below this, or significantly below 10 volts, the battery may be bad.
~~~~ Part Links ~~~~
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
đźš— Multimeter ~ amzn.to/4mSjFzi
đźš— Clamp Leads ~ amzn.to/3KEt0gO
Disclaimer: Screwsnutsandbolts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
All of my uploaded material is protected under copyright law. None of my videos may be re-uploaded, reproduced or transmitted, in part or in full, in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the copyright holder.
©Youtube.com/Screwsnutsandbolts 2025
Read important information below:
Disclaimer:
My videos are a guide to making repairs and also to provide helpful information.
Do not attempt to make any repairs unless you’re sure you know what you’re doing. For more detailed information, if something is not clear to you, or you don't understand something, have the repair carried out by a qualified mechanic or at your local car dealer. Any repair you carry out on your car you do at your own risk.
Under no circumstances will Screwsnutsandbolts be responsible or liable in any way for any content, including but not limited to, any errors or omissions in the content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of any content communicated in this video, whether by Screwsnutsandbolts or a third party. In no event shall Screwsnutsandbolts be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits arising out of or in connection with the availability, use or performance of any information communicated in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Screwsnutsandbolts, it cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Screwsnutsandbolts assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Screwsnutsandbolts recommends safe practices when performing any do it yourself repairs and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Screwsnutsandbolts, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Screwsnutsandbolts.
