How to Use an Automotive Test Light

How to Use an Automotive Test Light - Quick and Easy

Рет қаралды 576,001

Күн бұрын

** Timeline below if you would like to jump to a specific section **
A test light is a simple, quick tool to test for electrical issues in your car. They may look intimidating, but I promise you it's easy to use! In this video I show what a test light is, how a test light works, and what to look for before you purchase.
Timeline
0:00 - Intro
0:13 - Basic Construction of a Classic Test Light
0:30 - How to Use Classic Test Light
1:24 - Application (Testing Fuses)
1:51 - Modern Test Light vs. Classic Test Light
2:43 - How to Use Modern Test Light
3:00 - Things to Know Before You Buy / Different Types
5:48 - Thanks!
Tools Used
- Test Light

Пікірлер: 214

@jonnyboat2 3 жыл бұрын

I almost thought I was watching one of Chris Fix’s talking hand videos. Excellent job. That was explained as if you remembered what it was like when you didn’t know how to use a tester and what questions a newbie would have.

@SRSnure Жыл бұрын

That is exactly what I was thinking!

@Turco949 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know what Joe looks like but if I saw his hand on the street, I'd easily recognize him.

@d.phothirath5084 2 жыл бұрын

😂🤣

@lilliebuckhorse7039 2 жыл бұрын

You funny

@dakotanicholson8421 2 жыл бұрын

Yes ok

@genuinestance387 2 жыл бұрын

@@dakotanicholson8421 no ok

@cory9687 Жыл бұрын

LMFAOOOOO

@buggybunny5769 4 жыл бұрын

Helped me out big time, trying to get my trailer lights to work. Thank you

@porkyrabbit Жыл бұрын

We need more people like you on YT. this was very helpful brotha!

@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, now I understand how test lights work :)

@superbohateras3923 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for advice !!! Workong on my fog lights and it helped ! Thank you

@jsn21 2 жыл бұрын

I got a test light with a built in voltmeter. Saved me so much time.

@mrharlemike28 Жыл бұрын

Beautifully explained! Thank you! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

@michaeledwards2919 11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Great video on the led type test lights. You provided exactly the information I needed. 🌊 Thanks again.

@laurentampa2054 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! This was very helpful!

@muhammedsons2675 4 жыл бұрын

nice lady

@pyrokamileon 2 жыл бұрын

I have acquired one or two of these via tool kits over the years but never knew how to use them. thank you very much for helping me understand this tool a bit better 👍🏽

@jonnyboat2 3 жыл бұрын

You should do an “understanding electricity” video. The best way I ever heard of to depict how electricity works and how devices employed to control and refine electricity, was to think of electricity as water flowing through a pipe. You can use ball valves to act as switches and clear tubing to depict wires and colored water to depict electricity.

@geekdiggy 3 жыл бұрын

i favor this idea

@kataysmith9581 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very informative.

@socalwoodmarquee 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff! Thanks!

@wilmagerrits8409 Ай бұрын

Thanks so much, very easily explained , so now I know how to use my new tester.

@KH-el5vc 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for your video, Mr. JoeCanDolt.

@Brain-Lag Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I needed this to help me with my headlights ❤❤❤

@duhjester7906 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet hand work!

@HEARTNHUSTLESTUDIOS 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. Just subbed to help you grow bro. Keep up the great work

@ExploringAlabama 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent thanks

@idigitalclic857 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent Video.

@nicoson9578 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info and vid , great and vast info I never knew.

@mixtecjaguar9824 2 жыл бұрын

Great teaching style

@blacksonne19 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man, I will I can't believe I'm saying this but I've been working on cars and trucks for 30 years n I just never really messed with the wiring if I did I just winged it. I mean I did a cv axle on a BMW yesterday but I never knew how to use one of these. So thanks.

@Raksmey003 3 жыл бұрын

You are awesome, thanks. Subscribed

@rickp00234 Жыл бұрын

Great info just want I needed to know. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@citizenranjit 3 жыл бұрын

Many Thanks Joe

@VenganzaCayey 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing

@tldrafaik6144 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Thought I was watching a ChrisFix video for a second 😆

@samsmusichub 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@calvinflager4457 8 ай бұрын

NIce video. Thanks you.

@jbj73 2 жыл бұрын

thanks Joe

@matthewmoeller1225 Жыл бұрын

very good video

@McA48 Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@sportscarvideos1210 3 жыл бұрын

It is good that connect the tester to the either side of battery terminal?

@CIorox_BIeach 3 жыл бұрын

I just used it to hunt down a parasitic draw. >Disconnected the negative lead from the battery. >Had my kid brother hold the probe on the battery clamp with the clip on the post. >Pulled and reset fuses until he yelled that it went dim. Found it. The damn radio. It's an aftermarket part that one of the previous owners installed. All the problems I've been having with my truck for the last two years were the result of someone "upgrading" things. Yes, it's a very nice tape deck, but it ain't worth s**t if I can't start it in the morning.

@atml29 3 жыл бұрын

If I have 2 wires with the same color how to know which one is positive and which one is negative and where to connect the ground if I connected the ground and it was negative would it be too negative together anything would happen?

@Lawless187indika 3 жыл бұрын

Yo!..Havent seen you since the Adams Family bro. . nonethless Good video man.

@sandywoolf2883 2 жыл бұрын

The video explains very well. The voltage test pen is still necessary. I bought a renhotecic brand test pen not long ago. The test is very convenient, accurate and safe. Family must.

@videoworks7731 4 ай бұрын

nice job thanks

@cs5039 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, feeling pretty incompetent here. I pass the test light works/doesn't work at the battery under the hood. But, if I go to the 7-pin trailer connector on the back, nothing works & I am powering on. I do have a trailer connector w/ integrated test lights. I plug in & power up it sure works. Help please!

@letstrythis3295 2 жыл бұрын

What happens if you check fuses with the clamp on the position terminal instead of the negative?

@patpresley444 4 жыл бұрын

Need to find out what’s going on w my RX 350. Radio switches channels on its own & rear hatch doesn’t always open back hatch from button on dash

@PatrickN225 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊

@joepagdee 3 жыл бұрын

Is the one that has a red clip the same as yours the same? Just diffrent color of clip? Thanks

@petertimpson9378 4 жыл бұрын

I just bought a Craftsman test light that has both POS and NEG clips. I've only used one like yours. Do I use the black(neg) when I'm looking for power and the red when looking for ground? Or use both? Not sure and no directions.

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

Usually when it has two alligator clips for red and black, it means that you have to hook up to a source like a battery and connect red to red and black to black. Now when you probe a wire if it has a connection to ground it will light up or if it has a connection to power it will light up. It's supposed to be a convenience feature I think. The source should also be connected with a common ground so the best place to do your hookup is your car battery while it is connected to your car. Maybe can you post a link? Or a model number?

@theeabster1983 3 жыл бұрын

Your last name fix? cuz I could have swore for a minute that I clicked on Chris fix video the way the video started. Lol thanks for your video

@austinharding9734 8 ай бұрын

Can you use these to test for Continuity, Or 2 ends of a wire that are not connected to power My issue is that i disconnected the RCM module connector and removed all the terminals and there are multiple wires that have the exact same wire color code ID and I don't know where they lead to I have diagrams but I don't know how to test which one leads to which

@TrellDaGunna Жыл бұрын

Might be a dumb question but do you put the battery in the continuity that came in the pack???

@shabazghazunfer9586 3 жыл бұрын

Salute to new technology

@gwendolynjordan9071 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@bendavis8090 3 жыл бұрын

Will a multimeter on a resistance setting do the same thing? Isn't this just showing a completed circuit?

@Rick-qr8vb 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Even I understood it.... Great help !!!

@ioannist.1699 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. What happens if I connect the wire to battery ground and connect the test light to a ground wire? Or DC battery connect with DC wire?

@mirceamilos6406 2 жыл бұрын

Nothing.

@vidiaugrafree 2 жыл бұрын

Question: the LED probe has the two colors to indicate polarity, so can you place the 'grounding clip' on either a (+) or (-) ? Is it like the classic probes where you need to switch to the positive battery terminal to probe for negatives?

@superjojo555 2 жыл бұрын

yes, he shows it in the video.

@superjojo555 2 жыл бұрын

2:45

@rominhawk3949 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. Excellent presentation of use and types. But, with a six foot lead, how is the Innova 3410 to reach from the battery to inside the car to test any fuses?

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! For fuses all you need to do is connect to ground from inside the car. The other end will probe the fuses.

@rominhawk3949 4 жыл бұрын

@@joecandoit5341 Thanks for replying. I see.

@buggybunny5769 4 жыл бұрын

I just checked my whole fuse panel inside the car. Just hooked the clamp to the passenger seat mounting post (grounded metal), and used the probe just like in the video to check the fuses in the fuse panel. Worked great.

@inesmolina6605 2 жыл бұрын

All you have to do is use the same size wire, the longer the better, strip back about one and half inches of plastic covering. And wrap one end around the clamp of the tester and the other end around the negative cable post on car battery.

@Rob-oy2hr Жыл бұрын

I just bought a automotive tester(came with no manual) off Amazon.Mine has a red positive clamp as yours has a black negative clamp, any idea why they are different?

@nyacoustics8373 Жыл бұрын

hey chris fix here!

@k9driver 4 жыл бұрын

I have a test light with both positive and negative connectors. Do I have to connect both connectors to the battery or just one connector is sufficient?

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

You need to connect both for that style of test light.

@D_Nice_2022 3 жыл бұрын

I just bought a Dorman probe with two connectors, one red and one black. Can I connect both at the same time to corresponding colors on battery; or do I just use one connector at a time?

@TheMchyaby 3 жыл бұрын

hey same here did you figure it out? seems like two clips are uncommon, not getting much help on a web search

@VenganzaCayey 3 жыл бұрын

Ok I bought this thing to test my motorcycle wire if I have the plug to the positive and the wire I test is negative what's gonna happen would it matter if the wire is positive or negative ...would it show a different color. Or something.

@richroc7 7 ай бұрын

My problem is I’m looking at how to use a circuit tester that has TWO clamps (one red and the other black). I understand how to use it with a battery but what if I can’t reach the battery, can I just use the black clamp and attach it to a piece of metal as a ground without having to connect the red clamp?

@_raskalloko6445 16 күн бұрын

Yeah it'll work, if your testing for positive polarity. My question is how do you test for negative polarity without reaching the battery

@Jstars200 2 жыл бұрын

What happens if you connect pen to one device and the negative to battery 2 which dont run the device?

@vicpetrishak7705 11 ай бұрын

To receive the best ground on a vehicle , clamp a small locking pliers ( ViseGrips ) onto a good ground then clamp the test light’s clip to it .

@Kroooza 7 ай бұрын

Or just clip the test lights clamp to the ground?

@guillermomejia593 2 жыл бұрын

How would I go about testing fuel injectors

@Ryan-xj1vr Жыл бұрын

Will the led lights dim with a voltage drop?

@decideswell6699 3 ай бұрын

Where should I buy new fuses?

@Carlzday 5 жыл бұрын

i just bought that new ... hadn't even opened it ...watched your vid first and was surprised to see the red and green led's

@joecandoit5341 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah I like that feature, super useful.

@Carlzday 4 жыл бұрын

@Anti commie virus In canada, at Canadian tire

@RobertJahrling-pb4xw Жыл бұрын

Yeah I got a question If you mess up and short-circuit your LED light how do you fix it Because I'm too cheap to buy a new one yes

@97540. Жыл бұрын

Where can buy with LED Bulb? Let me know Thanks

@Noscams00 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks👋this👆video was 🤘awesome. It helped me 👉😐 out. Hope you have an 👌night. ✌️

@user-oy5sn8jk9t 2 ай бұрын

❤ good

@jatinderjanday7921 5 күн бұрын

So if green light on then be all good ??

@nancyann1358 Жыл бұрын

Is car on or off when doing the testing?

@paulkaufman4901 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I enjoyed the video and appreciate the explanations of the different lights and features. Great information I do wish that you had included links to the different lights and particularly, the one you used. I really like the handle profile and other features.

@tonylopez7929 Жыл бұрын

How can you test fuel pump to see if you’re getting any power to it

@bfitnessjoe 2 жыл бұрын

I have a test light that has both a red clip AND and black clip two wires from the test light. What gives ?

@cesarjorgemurillobarientos1813 2 жыл бұрын

good

@Mitutumuch 3 жыл бұрын

I can do this with the car on aswell? Ive watched like 30 videos on this but im jusst a bit worried. im new to electrics

@VenganzaCayey 3 жыл бұрын

Me too I just wanna know what happens if I put the plug on the negative and then I test negative looking for a positive will it mess up anything.. if I connect the pointer to the wrong wire.?

@arivuazhagan442 3 жыл бұрын

Thanku sir

@hankwarburton4938 4 жыл бұрын

When it comes to fuses, it should only tell you if a fuse is bad if the car is running. When it is off, some fuses dont always have power going to them.

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

Correct! Thanks for pointing this out. I do mention this in my how to check a fuse video. The circuit needs to be turned on in order to check, otherwise, pull it out and use an ohmmeter.

@marekziobro6672 4 жыл бұрын

I'm a Subaru owner too, and am wondering, why fuse 27 is not there. When you look at the car's manual it describes fuse 27 as a main window power relay, however when I check the fuse box, the fuse number 27 is gone. Any thoughts on that?

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

None that I can think of.....

@TaraWalker61 Жыл бұрын

Just replace the fuse. You can buy them at any auto business, like Auto Zone or Walmart car service area.

@edwardonsax9919 Жыл бұрын

If my "test light" has a voltage printed on it and I got it at a Harbor Freight not an auto parts place then how do I know which voltage to use, or am I using the wrong kind of test light?

@gimmesomesugar Жыл бұрын

Should say 12 volt.

@DeathByLego 4 жыл бұрын

Same process for the interior? My windows aren’t working and trying to figure out what’s wrong.

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

Yes should be. Just ground the test light on the chassis somewhere inside that has bare metal. Check by the pedals.

@rollzolo 2 жыл бұрын

Wonder how much snap on costs?

@runnsheeprunn9828 4 жыл бұрын

Cool hand puppet

@frankmontez6853 4 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know if the inside fuses should light up test light when done this way ? They don't and pretty much checked them all . The fuses under the steering wheel inside cabin and yes , I've tested it to make sure it works including checking the fuses under the hood in the engine compartment and they light up .

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

Yes they should if I am understanding your question correctly. I have an old video checking fuses but it long. Just skip through and I think you'll find your answer

@frankmontez6853 4 жыл бұрын

@@joecandoit5341 ok just seems very strange because then all of the things that are protected by all these fuses shouldn't work at all ? But they do work so seems very strange

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

@@frankmontez6853 did you try testing it with that device powered. In other words, to test the radio fuse, make sure the radio is on.

@frankmontez6853 4 жыл бұрын

@@joecandoit5341 Now I did and it's good not blown . The reason I'm checking fuses is because whenever I've taken car in to be scanned they get no reading whatsoever . Original problem is that car starts but sometimes has no power to rev up the engine stays low rpm . I've managed to overcome this problem by turning it off then waiting a minute then restarting it and that does the trick back to normal .

@rahrah8076 4 жыл бұрын

Frank Montez what kind of vehicle ?

@mcozpda3392 4 жыл бұрын

and witch way is better to found a ''short'' in cable .. or someway .. i have one in my HD ,, cheers ..

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

A multimeter is a better tool for finding a short.

@mcozpda3392 4 жыл бұрын

@@joecandoit5341 you have video about . tks

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

@@mcozpda3392 I do not but this guy is very good: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mKxjgtyCmK7blok.html

@jaygee6310 2 жыл бұрын

A man with many handy gesture- isms. Actually it's quite "shocking"..

@TruthSeekerAll Жыл бұрын

Thanks to Joe’s hand. 👍

@gth882 4 жыл бұрын

What if spark when touching fuses?and blow a fuse?

@joecandoit5341 4 жыл бұрын

What do you mean?

@AF1MIDS 11 ай бұрын

What's up Joe!

@Dansk55 2 жыл бұрын

PowerProbe is far superior and worth the purchase. But for test light, just make your own with 12v LED and voltage reading in series and diode.

@97540. Жыл бұрын

I see now thanks

@johnwahlers3363 4 жыл бұрын

I was wondering why I had a green and a red light.

@jordanohernandez5465 2 жыл бұрын

Does the car or battery need to be running?

@bitbanggaming204 2 жыл бұрын

Nope!

@martinmartinezolmos1971 5 жыл бұрын

What about the one with a little 12 volt battery?? What is the battery for?

@joecandoit5341 5 жыл бұрын

Battery inside? Could you give a link to it or the name of the brand? I personally never came across one.

@scrappylady 5 жыл бұрын

JoeCanDoIt The ones that come with a small battery are for test lights for testing circuits, fuses, connections etc. when your car doesn’t have power from the car battery or you need to run tests with the car off or you don’t want to drain your battery if it’s weak and you’re stuck somewhere. The little battery in the test light gives the juice for a light if there’s a connection.

@joecandoit5341 5 жыл бұрын

@@scrappylady that's pretty cool. I never seen it yet. I might pick one up and try it out. Thanks for the reply!

@scrappylady 5 жыл бұрын

Oh, and that sm battery doesn’t make it computer safe. There are ones that are computer safe, they are more expensive $23-30. They have two clips, one red and one blk instead of just the one on other test lights.

@joecandoit5341 5 жыл бұрын

@@scrappylady can you link the computer safe one you are talking about? I like the feel of my test light so I wouldn't mind converting the internal workings of it to match the current draw of the you are referring to. I would even make a video about it so others can do the same!