Quote:
Originally Posted by Wil Ferch
If you can tolerate no current (amp) readings....even the small, foldable pocket digital style at Radio Shack is good for $28.....
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No DMM is any good for checking starter current draw, because they only tend to read up to 10A, and that's usually an unfused bus inside the meter - at least on cheaper examples. A starter will draw 10 times that and melt the bus. You need a current shunt or clamp meter to check high draw like starter current - really not worth it.
The lower current ranges are useful for things like finding what's draining your battery when you're not driving the car, though.
The only advantage of a good meter is that it is more likely to work when you want to use it - I replaced 3 $40 multimeters 2,3,4 years apart until buying a used Fluke 77 4 years ago. Which still works perfectly. The accuracy of even a cheap, uncalibrated meter isn't an issue for auto work - they're fine.