C2 Capacitor testing?

[Michael F.]

Can someone tell me how to test the many capacitors under the dash of the C2?

[Dan D.]

Re: C2 Capacitor testing?

You need to determine two different parameters - capacitor value, and leakage current. Leakage current and capacitor condition can be roughly determined with a ohm meter. Touch the lead to the case to completely discharge it, then connect to an ohm meter set on a high resistance scale. The resistance should initially go low and as the capacitor charges up the resistance will gradually increase. This is easier to do on an analog meter than a digital one. Digital meters don't sample fast enough to make this measurement.
To determine actual capacitor value you need a 'C' meter. Some high end DVMs will read capacity, but most do not. In electonics there are instruments called 'LCR' meters (inductance, capacity, resistance). These instruments will accurately measure all parameteres of coils, capacitors, resistors, and measurements can usually be made at your choice of several frequencies. But these are laboratory instruments and are very expensive. Only large companies generally have these things. Your best bet to do this is to invest in a DVM that will measure capacitance.
From experience I can tell you your capacitors are probably okay. These caps do not go bad very often. -Dan-

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Capacitor testing?

Michael,

Here's a web site that probably has way more info than you really wanted:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/captest.htm

But, I'm not so sure I would bother. I'm assuming your car has a radio and all the capacitors are there for RFI suppression. If so, as long as your radio is working OK and you're not hearing a bunch of ignition noise, it's probably not worth the time and effort.

Joe