Schmidt wrote:

>  Will someone recommend a multimeter  Any help appreciated.Jay, 84
> with "the syndrome" thus far NOT fixed

I'm looking at the 2001 Radio Shack catalog.  I don't have any financial
interest or special loyalty to them, but they are convenient.

Most any meter will handle the basic voltage and resistance checks
needed in automotive applications.  A continuity buzzer is handy.
  You aren't going to be able to measure battery-to-starter current
without a special shunt, but to measure the current (amps) drawn by
accessories you want the maximum DC amps range to be large (10 or 20 A
seems to be typical).
  Some of the old style analog (meter with needle) type meters are
inexpensive but they have a low input impedance compared to the digital
type. This means that they cannot measure some low power signals (like
from the O2 sensor) without changing the voltage that you are trying to
measure.
  A digital meter will generally be more accurate, and easier to read,
except in the case of rapidly changing signals (like the O2 sensor!).  A
digital meter with an additional bar-graph display should also allow you
to follow voltages that fluctuate quickly.

Radio Shack handles Fluke meters (very good brand) thru their website or
by special order at stores.  They don't list the model 88 that Chris
recommended, but judging from the prices they have for similar model
numbers, it may cost you around $300.  For this price you may get
additional features like a temperature probe and built-in frequency
meter.
  For much less money you might consider Radio Shack's own brand which
should be in the stores.  Perhaps the

   22-805   $60   bar-graph,  20A max DC current
or
  22-174    $90   bar-graph, 10A max DC current, temp probe, freq
counter

Take care, happy measuring,
Larry A.
Chicago
91 GL