If a cranking voltage drop test shows 1.6 volts, what should be the next step?

A cranking voltage drop test that yields a result of 1.6 volts indicates that there is an excessive voltage drop occurring when starting the engine. This drop can often be attributed to high resistance in the connections that are part of the starting circuit, commonly at the battery terminals and clamps.

The most logical next step in this scenario is to clean the battery terminal and clamps, then retest. By ensuring that the connections are clean and free of corrosion, you can significantly reduce the resistance in the circuit. This can potentially bring the voltage drop down to an acceptable level, indicating that the issue was merely poor connectivity rather than a more serious problem with the battery or starter motor.

If the voltage drop is still too high after cleaning the connections, you could then explore checking the battery and starter motor or inspecting the wiring harness to see if any of those components are contributing to the problem. However, addressing the most common culprits first—such as dirty or corroded battery terminals—makes the process efficient and can often resolve the issue outright.