LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Kia >> 2003 >> Rio Base, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Electrical >> Charging Systems >> System Testing >> Voltage Drop Test
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Voltage Drop Test

The voltage drop test will determine if there is excessive resistance in the battery terminal connections or the battery cables. When performing these tests, remember that the voltage drop is giving an indication of the resistance between the two points at which the DVOM probes are attached. For example, when testing the resistance of the battery positive cable, connect one of the DVOM leads to the positive battery cable clamp and the other cable connector at the starter solenoid. If you probe the positive battery terminal post and the cable connector at the starter solenoid, you are actually reading the combined voltage drop in the positive battery cable clamp-to-terminal post connection and the positive battery cable.

  1. Connect the positive lead of the DVOM to the negative battery terminal post.
  2. Connect the negative lead of the DVOM to the negative battery terminal cable clamp.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the start meter and observe the DVOM. If voltage is detected, correct the poor contact between the cable clamp and the terminal post.
  4. Connect the positive lead of the DVOM to the positive battery terminal post.
  5. Connect the negative lead of the DVOM to the positive battery terminal cable clamp.
  6. Turn the ignition switch to "START" and observe the DVOM. If voltage is detected, correct the poor contact between the cable clamp and the terminal post.
  7. Connect the voltmeter to measure between the positive battery terminal post and the starter solenoid battery terminal stud.
  8. Turn the ignition switch to "START" and observe the reading on the DVOM. If the reading is above 0.2V, clean and tighten the battery cable connection at the solenoid and repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2V, replace the faulty positive battery cable.
  9. Connect the DVOM to measure between the negative battery terminal post and a good clean ground on the engine block.
  10. Turn the ignition switch to "START" and observe the DVOM. If the reading is above 0.2V, clean and tighten the battery cable connection on the engine block and repeat the test. If the reading is still above 0.2V, correct the faulty negative battery cable.
  11. Connect the DVOM positive lead to the starter housing. Connect the DVOM negative lead to the negative battery terminal post.
  12. Turn the ignition switch to "START" and observe the DVOM. If the reading is above 0.2V, correct the poor starter to engine block ground contact.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals