Can I test earths with a multimeter?

[DanielJames]

His all, having a problem with my 106 Gti

It won't start basically since changing the gearbox. It's related to the gearbox earth I'm sure but I don't know how to check the cable.

Does anyone know how I can check the earth? I've traced the cable best I can and it seems to go back into the ecu along with a few other earths of the same thickness and colour so cant be sure which is which...

Any tips?
Dan

[Krikkit]

If you've changed the gearbox have you reconnected the starter correctly? Easy to mix up the wiring behind there.

Otherwise earth checking you just need to stick a probe on the battery - terminal (or any earth, although the - terminal is right in front of you, you could use the earth where the loom joins), the other anywhere on the earth system (i.e. the non-gearbox end of the suspect cable) on continuity mode.

[Bill]

Krikkit said:

on continuity mode.

This. Although if there's a poor earth via another route it won't help him so he'll need to disconnect on end of what he's testing. (I think...)

[S0 What]

Usually the main earther on top under the battery, had a few that snap internaly and cause all sort of chaos?

[S0 What]

One i had in the only symptom was uber slow wipers and no indicators had the body control modual and the fuse box out before i found the problem, no idea why just those but there were 2 earths on the box on that car aa thick main one (near the starter) and a smaller one on top of the box and it was the smaller one.
Easy to test, just stick a jump lead from the NEG on the battery to the engine or gear box, if the fault goes away there's a food chance the excisting earth is knackerd.

[aka_kerrly]

You didn't try and start the car without reattaching the earth cable did you??

It has been known for amateurs and professionals alike to do clutch changes and not attach the earth and then when trying to start the car kill the ECU when it can't ground out. I've seen this on a couple of mk2 golf GTIs where they then don't start due to the injectors not being live but everything else like the starter motor and fuel pump prime just like normal.