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How do I test if my battery cables are bad?
I’m having trouble starting my car, but I had the battery replaced only two years ago, so I think it could be an issue with the battery cables this time. How do I test if my battery cables are bad?
Kathryn Mae Kurlychek · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The easiest way to test if your car’s battery cables are bad is by using a multimeter, which is a tool designed to measure electrical output, voltage, and resistance.
Once you have multimeter, set it to measure voltage, grab a friend or family member, and follow these steps:
- Start by attaching one end of your positive (red) cable to the multimeter, and the other end to the positive battery terminal
- With your multimeter set to measure voltage, have one person start your car’s engine while the other watches the reading on the multimeter
- Look for a reading close to zero. If the voltage measures 0.3 or higher, it’s time to replace the battery cables
- Turn off your engine, detach the red lead, and test your negative (black) cable in the same way, this time connecting the cable to your car’s negative battery terminal. Again, if the voltage measures 0.3 or higher, it’s time to replace your cables
Note that these measurements are standard for testing a 4-cylinder engine. If your car fires 6 cylinders, a voltage reading of 0.5 or higher will indicate faulty battery cables.
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